Posted on Fri, May. 14, 2004


Abbeville officers honored in Washington


Associated Press

The families of slain officers Danny Wilson and Donnie Ouzts took part in a candlelight vigil in Washington honoring lawmen killed in the line of duties.

Wilson and Ouzts were killed in shootings that led to the 13-hour standoff with law enforcement outside a house in Abbeville County last December. Police eventually arrested Arthur Bixby, his wife Rita Bixby and her son, Steven Bixby.

Wilson and Ouzts' names were read aloud along with others killed in 2003. Their names were also engraved on a 304-foot long blue-gray marble wall in Judiciary Square commemorating lawmen who gave their lives.

Wilson was a sergeant for the Abbeville County Sheriff's Office. Ouzts was a constable for the Abbeville County Magistrate's Office.

"It's just remarkable that they are honoring him," said Marliyn Lee, Wilson's older sister.

The ceremony, sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, took place during National Police Week.

Seven members of the Ouzts' family attended with four more coming for a wreath-laying service on Saturday. There were about six members of the Wilson family at the ceremony.

"The Ouzts were more or less dreading the trip because it was going to bring back a lot of bad memories. But they did want to be a part of it," Abbeville County sheriff's victim's advocate Judy Davis said.

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Information from: Anderson Independent-Mail, http://www.andersonsc.com/





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