SC Deputy Shot in the Line of Duty Speaks for First Time Since Incident

Lucas Watts, the 28-year-old Oconee County SC deputy shot in November in the line of duty continues to make progress, according to his family.

On November 16, Watts was shot multiple times by a suspect he was pursuing.

While his prognosis was initially poor, Watts has continued to beat the odds and improve.

Since then, he has been transferred to a rehabilitation center in Atlanta and his family posts regular updates on CaringBridge.com.

On Monday, they said Lucas spoke for the first time since the shooting 44 days ago.

They said while his wife and a friend were visiting him they thought he was cold so they turned off his fan. Shortly afterward, Lucas said two words, “fan on.”

When they asked if he wanted the fan turned back on, he nodded several times so they turned it back on.

They added that he still has a long way to go and he is not yet fully awake or alert but they are thrilled at this next step in his recovery.

The rehabilitation doctors have told the family that Lucas continues to improve every week.

Some of the progress includes opening his eye, turning his head toward sound, giving a thumbs up, giving a peace sign (holding up his first and middle fingers together), reaching for an object, and opening his mouth when a spoon was held in front of him and he was asked what it was used for.

The family thanks God for Lucas’ progress and everyone who continues to pray for him and they ask for continued prayers for his full recovery.

Meantime, in December, the man accused of shooting Deputy Watts, 50-year-old Gregory Wayne Maxwell of Fair Play, SC, was charged in Magistrate Court with six counts of attempted murder as well as a weapons charge.

The magistrate denied bond on the attempted murder charge of Cpl. Lucas Watts, but set a $1,000,000 bond on each of the other five attempted murder counts.