Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
LCpl. B.A. Frazier has fully recovered from an incident where he was shot on the right side of his face during a traffic stop. He has yet to return to Troop 7.
Lance Corporal Bentrice Frazier
Lance Corporal B.A. Frazier (center), TFC Tyler Tidwell (right), and Lance Corporal Brittany Glover (left), both of Troop 7, visited The People-Sentinel office for a sit-down interview.
When Lance Corporal B. A. Frazier flicked on his blue lights to slow down a speeding vehicle on Highway 78, he never anticipated sending out a ‘trooper down’ call moments later.
Led to serve
After graduating high school, LCpl. Frazier enlisted in the Navy where his initial passion to serve was ignited.
“When I first got into the Navy, I didn’t realize what I entered into,” he said. “As time moved on, I realized our primary duties were to serve the people of the United States and protect our country.”
Upon returning home to Allendale County after the Navy, LCpl. Frazier didn’t recognize the community he left. He saw his neighborhood dwindling.
“All the neighbors left the hood,” said LCpl. Frazier. “The neighbors left, and it was only a hood. I felt there was something I could do to be a part of the solution and it drew me to this profession…I wanted people to be safe and feel safe in their communities.”
To be a part of rebuilding his community, he wanted to get back in uniform and continue these skills of service developed in the Navy.
“I still had that desire, I still had that hunger and thirst to serve and protect,” he said, leading him to join the Allendale County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) in 2015 as a deputy.
LCpl. Frazier is currently a trooper with the S.C. Department of Public Safety’s (SCDPS) Highway Patrol in Troop 7 and was patrolling on April 16 when he made that traffic stop resulting in the urgent call.
The stop
When he spotted the car traveling 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit on Highway 78 just outside of Denmark in Bamberg County, his first thought was for the driver’s safety.
“My initial thoughts were, ‘let me slow him down before he gets hurt on this highway,’” said LCpl. Frazier. “We live in a rural area where deer are always running into the road.”
During the 3:30 a.m. stop, the driver began shooting at LCpl. Frazier, and a bullet hit him in the right side of the face leaving “serious, but non-life-threatening injuries,” states a SCDPS press release.
The driver fled the scene before being chased by a second trooper who heard LCpl. Frazier’s call for help. The pursuit ended in Orangeburg County when the vehicle crashed into a house.
When making the initial stop, the last thought on his mind was his wife opening their front door to a trooper delivering bad news.
“We are trained to look for certain things…but I felt like I’ve been honest and treated everybody with respect and I try to do the best to educate them on why I stopped them,” he said. “I never thought that would happen to me.”
LCpl. Frazier explained at that moment, his life meant nothing to a career criminal.
“It didn’t matter who it was, he was going to take their life for his freedom to continue to be a menace to this society,” said LCpl. Frazier. “It’s almost like we’re the bad guys, and we’re here to serve and protect.”
Love from the community
When asked what has kept him in law enforcement for nearly a decade, especially after a traumatic incident such as this, LCpl. Frazier said “the love of the people.”
After being discharged from a Charleston hospital where he was treated for his injuries, there was statewide support. Countless law enforcement officers lined the exit of the hospital, applauding as he made his way to his vehicle.
On their ride back to his Allendale home, LCpl. Frazier was shocked by just how many citizens and first responders were posted along the route. Flags were hung on overpasses and signs with well wishes were waved.
“As we exited and entered communities it seemed more and more people entered the convoy,” he said. “I would have never imagined… I was excited about just going home.”
Little did he know a bigger welcome was waiting for him there.
Residents of the Town of Allendale were eagerly waiting for his return with welcome home signs and celebratory cheers.
“We have the sense of thinking that nobody likes us because of what we do, but that changed my heart and changed my mind to see them come out and welcome me home,” said LCpl. Frazier, who described it as “phenomenal.”
Serve & Connect, a S.C. non-profit bridging the gap between police and the community, presented LCpl. Frazier and his wife with a check for over $15,000 to help with medical expenses. This money was raised through a fundraiser hosted by Serve & Connect.
This warm welcome changed his perspective on how the community viewed law enforcement, and motivates him to return to the patrol. LCpl. Frazier has yet to return to his post in Troop 7, explaining he is just waiting for the go-ahead from SCDPS leadership.
“Right now, my team is one short, and I am ready to get back,” said LCpl. Frazier.
