In my 42 years of helping folks around the state with personal injury, workers’ compensation, and disability matters, I have been blessed with meeting thousands of extraordinary South Carolinians. One such man was Deputy Michael Latu of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, who we regrettably lost last week in the line of duty. Michael was a Samoan-American who grew up in Chicago, but he migrated down to the Pee Dee, where he became a deputy in Marion County and one of the finest South Carolinians I’ve had the privilege of representing. I came to know Michael after he was referred to Mike Kelly Law Group by a fellow deputy—and my friend—Jonathan Herring. But although my relationship with Michael started out as an attorney-client one, he was a fun-loving and agreeable man, and we became fast friends.

Michael lived and breathed law enforcement, and he LOVED his job. Deputy Latu was particularly interested in the tactical aspects of being an officer, and he volunteered for virtually any job Sheriff Wallace needed done. He lost his life in a single-car accident while on the way to back up a fellow officer involved in a foot-chase, and I can find some peace in knowing that Michael died doing what he loved best. Still, he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and Marion County.

Deputy Latu made more of an impact on this earth in his 34 brief years than most people will make in a full lifetime. He worked passionately and pursued the greater good through his position with the Sheriff’s Office. He was reliable, jovial, and—though he’d never boast about it—Michael had a genius-level IQ. He was named both Patrolman of the Year and Deputy of the Year in 2018 for his dedication and service to Marion County. He is a man we can all aspire to be more like.

As we enter a new year and a new decade, I hope that we can all take with us a lesson from the life of Michael Latu. May we begin this new chapter with the passion and dedication he had, with his love of helping others, and with his humble and heartfelt demeanor. And may we remember that the moments we have on earth are few and precious, such that we spend more time focusing on the things in life that matter most with gratitude in our hearts.

Thank you for your service, Deputy Latu. You will be missed, but your legacy lives on.