A South Carolina police officer died in the line of duty, authorities say. Here’s what we know | The Times Of Update

A police officer died in the line of duty on Wednesday, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Mark Reynolds, 43, of Florence, a South Carolina State Transit Police officer, suffered a medical emergency during training and died On Wednesday evening, officials with the Ministry of Public Security said in a press release.

Reynolds’ cause of death has not been made public. No information has been released about what type of training Reynolds was involved in at the time of the accident.

“The death of Petty Officer First Class Reynolds is a profound loss, not only for National Transport Police“We are not just the Department of Public Safety, but the entire Department of Public Safety,” SCDPS Director Robert Woods said in the statement. “We are all hugging our families a little tighter tonight and praying for Mark’s wife, children, friends and loved ones who are reeling from this sudden loss.”

After serving as a firefighter for more than a decade and working as a professional truck driver, Reynolds joined the state transit police in 2022, according to the release. He was assigned to Region 5, which includes Florence, Williamsburg and Georgetown counties, officials said.

Reynolds was the first state transit police officer to die in the line of duty since the division was established in the Ministry of Public Security in 1993, the statement said.

“Today is a very sad day for the State Transit Police. To all who knew Mark personally, he was well-liked, respected and extremely dependable,” STP Col. Dwayne Wilson said in the statement. “He was dedicated to his job and lived a life of service to the state, during his years as a firefighter and more recently as one of our officers. He will be greatly missed.”

The Department of Public Safety said information about a memorial service for Reynolds was not available, but would be shared with the public when plans are made.