Index

The Beat ...........2A

News .................3A

Opinion .............4A

Obits .................5A

Ruby elementaRyKids ‘Can’ fight cancer.

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Dig Into: General Sessions reports page 2a

Vol. 124, no. 18 thursday, may 5, 2011 50 cents

The Cheraw Chronicle&

The ChesTerfield AdverTiser

➠

John Davisstaff writer

A parent filed a wrongful death suit against Chesterfield County School District claiming the public system is responsible for her son’s suicide, an act resulting from unen-forced bullying policies.

Lisa O’Neal Lee through attorney W. Grayson Ervin, of Myrtle Beach, entered the suit in the clerk of courts

office last week.Michael Wayne Gulledge Jr., 14,

who died March 9, 2010, was a stu-dent at Long Middle.

In the suit, Lee is not seeking a specific amount of damages leaving decision to the court.

In the suit, Lee claims her son took his life “due to constant harass-ment, intimidation and bullying” and alleges the school failed to “maintain a safe, positive environment for stu-

dents… free from harassment.”Gulledge was being bullied at the

school for a period of time. Lee al-leges officials failed to act after being told what was happening stating no steps were taken to resolve the mat-ter.

Gulledge’s family declined to com-ment.

At press time, Chesterfield County School District officials had not been served with the suit.

John Davisstaff writer

When a law enforcement officer dies in the line of duty, the blue line feels it.

As does the community.Officers who have fallen in the line

duty – both locally and nationwide – will be remembered during a candle-light vigil slated for 7 p.m. Mon. May 16 at Chesterfield High.

The vigil marks the fifth service Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office has hosted recognizing all law en-forcement officers throughout the na-tion who have been killed in the line of duty.

“There’s so much tragedy and these men and women give so much, and we care about our officers and their families,” Sheriff Sam Parker said.

“It’s a good feeling to do this. It’s an honor to do it after 36 years in this profession.” Along with six Chester-field County law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty from 1924 to 1998, county deputies will also honor local law enforcement officers who died off-duty but whose sudden deaths just as much affected family by blood and badge as well as their communities.

“There will always will be that void,” Parker said. “Those officers will be with us for the rest of our lives. Even though didn’t die in the line of duty, they were still there in a beck and call to serve the community.”

Family members of fallen officers local and out of county who attend will be recognized.

Six Chesterfield County law en-forcement officers have lost their lives

since the early 1900s — rural police officer Henry D. Graves, 1924; Page-land officer William D. Deason, 1934; S.C. Highway Patrolman Garlan M. Smith, 1940; S.C. Highway Patrolman Marion Charles Steel, 1966; Cheraw police officer Gilbert Franklin Halma, 1998; and Chesterfield County Dept. William Crowley, 1998.

Officers who have lost their lives while serving the public but not on duty: Chesterfield County deputies Sgt. Darryl Quick and Deputy First Class Bernard Smith; Chesterfield County Detention Center Sgt. Ron-nie Murvin; Cheraw High School Re-source Officer Bobby Wright; and S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Jerome Lemmon.

A memorial case houses the names and photos of each fallen officer along with a candle.

Sheriff’s office remembers fallen cops

John Davisstaff writer

CHESTERFIELD — Though $60,000 short of making goal, Relay for Life organizers aren’t discouraged by initial fundrais-ing numbers.

County Relay teams gener-ated $154,000 raised before and through Friday’s annual Relay for Life event — most dollars di-rected to the American Cancer Society are raised during inde-pendent fundraisers by teams.

Though the goal was set at $210,000, the amount raised was a decent amount two years into double-digit unemployment in Chesterfield County.

“We did well,” said Kimberly Collins, American Cancer Society Community Field Manager. “I’m proud of Chesterfield County.”

The event night held steady generating more than $30,000, but the recession catching up to Chesterfield County is attributed to Relay teams struggling with fundraisers throughout the year, Collins said.

Last year, Chesterfield County generated $214,554 putting the county No. 6 in per capita giving among similar-sized counties in the southeast.

While many chowed down on barbecue sandwiches and cotton candy, some Relay teams offered inflatable rides for the kids.

Others took out warrants lock-ing up unsuspecting attendees in a make-shift jail with bond set at a $2 donation.

The annual Relay for Life event honors those fighting cancer, celebrating those who won their fight and remembering those who lost while converting the high school football field into the county’s top festival-atmosphere drawing thousands.

Relay for Life is one of the larger festival-like attractions in Chesterfield County offering live entertainment throughout the night.

Dollars raised through Relay for Life events and teams pays for medical research, scholar-ships and programs for cancer patients.

Relay misses goal, generates six-digits

Photo by John DavisRelay for Life teams cooked, grilled and fried food, offered inflatable rides and even locked-up people Friday night during the annual American Cancer Society fundraiser at Chesterfield High.

Michael Gulledge Jr.

Bernard Quick Helma Crowley Murvin

Parent sues school districtwrongful death

DeasonWrightMother’s Day is right around the corner then the fol-

lowing weekend, on May 13, the Cheraw Chronicle will launch the first phase of our “Cutest Kid” Contest. This online contest is similar to the successful “Cutest Pet” Contest held on the newspaper’s website earlier this year, and due to the contest’s poplularity we’re now look-ing for the cutest kids in the county.

The Cutest Kid Contest allows individuals to upload photos of local children for others to vote on as the “cut-est.” Prizes will be awarded to the winners in different age categories, and a Grand Prize worth $250 will be awarded for the Overall Winner, with the most votes, from our title sponsor Auddie Brown Chevrolet of Dar-lington.

Beginning May 13 and through May 30, online guests can submit photos of their adorable, cute, funny kids (or nieces, nephews and grandkids) at www.thecherawchron-icle.com. The entries will be voted on by other readers, and the those with the most votes will be awarded. The grand prize, from Auddie Brown Chevrolet of Darlington, will go to the child with the most votes. Additional prizes of $115 will also be awarded to kids with the most votes in six age categories, including newborn (0-12 months),

‘Cutest Kid’ to begin May 13

CONTESTCONTINUED ON PAGE 3A

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RegistrationRegistration

Summer Term 2011Summer Term 2011

May 11

Submit kids photos online

Enter to win: www.thecherawchronicle.com - starts May 13