In McColl, South Carolina, the sudden and mysterious death of Mayor George Garner II comes just days after the resignation of the entire police department, leaving the town in turmoil.
At a Glance
- Mayor George Garner II died in a car crash on November 26.
- The crash occurred during a pursuit by a Marlboro County Deputy.
- The entire McColl police force resigned before the crash.
- An active investigation related to Garner is ongoing.
The Incident and Its Immediate Consequences
Mayor George Garner II was tragically killed in a car accident on November 26 after his vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer on Highway 34 in Mechanicsville, South Carolina. At the time, Garner was being pursued by a Marlboro County Deputy, reportedly for his own protection. Garner, who was 49 years old and recently re-elected as mayor, is now at the center of an investigation led by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
The accident adds to McColl’s growing challenges, having occurred shortly after the entire police department’s collective resignation. Former Police Chief Bob Hale, alongside four officers, stepped down, highlighting harassment from a councilman and an intolerable work environment as key reasons. The department had faced budget constraints and unresolved issues which exacerbated the situation.
Update on McColl, South Carolina Mayor George Garner’s death in a car crash, which occurred shortly after the entire McColl Police Department resigned. According to the coroner’s Facebook post, a Marlboro County deputy was "following" Garner at the time of the crash to ensure his… pic.twitter.com/wszIMToqG4
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) November 30, 2024
Unfolding Governance Struggles in McColl
Persistent discord within McColl’s governance is evident, with former Police Chief Xzavier Williams having resigned in June 2023 amidst similar complaints. Williams had aimed to tackle the town’s drug problems, planning to send an officer to K9 school—efforts halted by Mayor Garner. Describing a hostile working environment, both Williams and Hale pointed to recurring leadership issues as significant obstacles in their roles.
“My personal decision to step away from the McColl Police Department can be attributed to repeated acts of harassment, personal attacks on my character, and the overall creation of a hostile work environment perpetuated by a specific Councilman.” – Chief Bob Hale
Despite continued resignations, the town, under Mayor Garner’s request, has relied on the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies for policing assistance. Mayor Pro Tempore Brian Blue assured residents of unwavering governmental support during this critical period, emphasizing efforts to restore order and trust among residents.
BREAKING: Mayor of McColl, S.C. George Garner died in a car crash earlier today, the Darlington County Coroner confirmed to @wmbfnews.https://t.co/Krbgvmbcy6
— Logan Schiciano (@LoganSchiciano) November 27, 2024
Community Impact and Response
The McColl community remains in shock, mourning Mayor Garner while grappling with safety concerns due to the absence of local law enforcement. A funeral service for Garner is scheduled at the McColl Church of God on December 3. This somber event underlines the gravity of recent events, leaving the town’s future in ambiguous terms as they await investigative insights and search for sustainable solutions to complex governance issues.
“We’re talking 10 or 15 minutes and someone could possibly expire in that amount of time. Without police enforcement, it’s definitely a bad situation.” – Resident William Groom
The leadership challenges faced by McColl underscore an urgent need for introspection within local governance. The latest developments press residents and officials alike to ask difficult questions about the town’s safety and future administrative directions.
