Funeral Arrangements Announced for Oconee County Deputy

Oconee County-- An Oconee County deputy was found dead in front of his patrol car early Sunday morning by a SC Highway Patrol trooper.

Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis said 26-year old William “Bill” Frederick Schuck, III was found pinned between his patrol car and a tree around 3am on a gravel road near the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 183.

According to Addis, Schuck was patrolling a private dirt road in the area of the 6000 Block of Highway 11 North, near Walhalla, when his patrol car became stuck. After several unsuccessful attempts to reach Schuck, deputies began a search and he was located by a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Officials say that Schuck spoke by telephone with his wife, who called him in this time frame and he told her his car had become stuck. His supervisor began to call him around 1:40 am without success.

Addis says the deputy had exited his patrol car and it appeared he was surveying the situation of his vehicle when the vehicle went forward and pinned him between the front of the car and a tree.

Schuck's father-in-law says he couldn't have asked for a better son-in-law.

"You know your daughter has met the right guy when you don't worry about your daughter when she is with him. and that's what we had with Bill," Bob Johnston said. Johnston says his daughter and Schuck were expecting their first child this summer.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating. An autopsy Sunday revealed Schuck died "as a result of traumatic asphyxiation; this finding is consistent with the physical observations of how he was found Sunday morning pinned between his car and a tree."

Deputy Schuck worked previously in West Columbia, SC. Schuck had been a deputy in Oconee County since September of 2009. He and his wife were planning to move to Oconee County.

The Oconee County Sheriff Released the following statement:

William Frederick Schuck III, 26, of Rabun Gap, Georgia, tragically died while on duty with the Oconee County, SC Sheriff’s Department on Sunday, February 7, 2010. He was born in Baltimore, MD and was the son of William Frederick Schuck Jr. and Darlene Schuck.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Erin Schuck and his paternal grandmother, Theresa Schuck. In addition to his parents Mr. Schuck is survived by his loving wife, Carey Ann Johnston Schuck of the home; a sister, Rebecca Anderson of Baltimore, MD; maternal grandparents, Edwin and Anna Reid; and his paternal grandfather, William F. Schuck Sr.

He was a graduate of Orange County High School in Durham, NC and graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Mr Schuck worked for three different police departments – Durham City Police Department, West Columbia City Police Department and the Oconee County Sheriffs Department. He volunteered helping the JV Boys and Varsity Girls Soccer Teams at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School.

The family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 from 5 PM to 7 PM. A Memorial Service will be held following visitation at 7 PM in the Beck Funeral Home Chapel.

Those wishing to may make contributions in Mr. Schuck’s memory to Pets Incorporated, 300 Orchard Drive, West Columbia, SC 29171

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.