Oconee deputy shot during standoff to return home after six months in hospital, rehab

An Oconee County sheriff’s deputy who was shot following a traffic stop in November is scheduled to return home Wednesday after over six months of hospitalization and rehab, and one day after he was named the 2023 County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the governor.

On Nov. 16, Cpl. Lucas Watts was among sheriff’s deputies who engaged Gregory Maxwell, 50, of Fair Play, after Maxwell fled from a traffic stop at South Highway 11 at Mt. Pleasant Road. Maxwell shot at the deputies during a standoff, striking Watts in the head. Watts lost his right eye from the incident.

One month later, an Oconee County magistrate judge denied Maxwell bond on 11 charges, including six counts of attempted murder.

After the shooting, Watts was hospitalized at Prisma Greenville Memorial Hospital and subsequently underwent rehabilitation at a Georgia facility in December. Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said that Watts will be escorted by sheriff’s deputies from Atlanta early Wednesday afternoon.

“God deserves all praise and glory for Lucas’ recovery," Crenshaw said, "and I know that Lucas and his family are excited that he will be coming home to the house that he and his wife, Haley, share with their son."

Watts was also named the 2023 County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday.

More: Oconee Sheriff's deputy shot, Greenville County Sheriff's Office investigating

Crenshaw said that Watts will be welcomed on Wednesday at the Highway 11 bridge at Exit 1 of Interstate 85. While Watts' estimated arrival time is between 2 and 3 p.m., an exact time will be determined once deputies escorting Watts leave Atlanta. Crenshaw said updates will be posted on the department’s social media platforms.

Crenshaw said deputies will work traffic control and help with parking.

Watts' family has regularly provided updates on his status on his CaringBridge page. In their most recent post on May 6, the family said Watts was recently assessed for a prosthetic eye. He had his feeding tube removed in March and began outpatient therapy a month ago.

In a statement, Crenshaw said that Watts’ recovery and rehabilitation will continue once he returns home. He added although Watts has made significant progress, he still has a “long way to go” in his recovery.

“The main focus for the family will continue to be Lucas’ recovery,” Crenshaw said. “Therefore, the family is asking for their privacy to continue to be respected during this time so they can focus all their energy on Lucas.”

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case because of a “familial conflict” for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which often investigates local law enforcement incidents. Lt. Ryan Flood, a spokesperson for the agency, said the investigation into deputies’ use of force has concluded with no findings of officer wrongdoing.

Chalmers Rogland covers public safety for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Greenville News and USA Today Network. Reach him via email at crogland@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Oconee deputy shot during November standoff is heading back home