Mayor Of Small Town Dies In Car Accident While Being Pursued By Law Enforcement, Town’s Entire Police Force Resigned Days Earlier

A small town in South Carolina has experienced an extremely difficult week.

McColl, South Carolina, which is in Marlboro County, had its entire police force resign.

Bob Hale, the former chief of police, submitted his letter of resignation on Halloween, citing a “hostile work environment perpetuated by a specific Councilman.”

“For months, I have endured unwarranted and malicious behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership. These actions have not only affected me personally but have also created a toxic atmosphere that has hindered the department’s ability to function effectively. Despite our efforts to address these issues professionally and through appropriate channels, the harassment and hostility have persisted,” Hale wrote in a Facebook post, according to South Carolina Public Radio.

“As a law enforcement leader, my primary duty is to serve and protect the people of this community while ensuring my team can operate with dignity and respect. The ongoing actions of this particular Councilman have made it impossible to fulfill this mission without compromising our principles and well-being,” Hale added.

His last day on the job was November 22nd.

The other police officers in the small town resigned shortly after.

The town of McColl will be without a single police officer on duty, as the entire police force, including the chief, resigned last week. https://t.co/JuZ8rxA4Yk

— WLOS (@WLOS_13) November 26, 2024

Per WRAL News:

Hale claimed the town council has created a hostile work environment and made “significant cuts” to the department’s funding. A former investigator also made this claim about the department.

“At the end of the day, I have a family. And when my job is constantly getting threatened and certain things are getting said I’m not going to stay somewhere and tolerate that,” former McColl investigator Courtney Bulusan said.

Bulusan said she called it quits on Thursday, adding she wanted to go somewhere where she’s valued.

“I’m not going to stay where I’m tolerated,” Bulusan said. “I’m going to go where I’m celebrated.”

Bulusan claims her job faced unnecessary challenges due to the lack of tools and equipment for her to utilize.

“I was on my way to a call when that one just stopped working. We need cars,” Bulusan said.

She said she wanted McColl residents to know her resignation had nothing to do with the community and she hopes the town takes the right steps to keep the community safe.

Days later, the town’s mayor passed away in a car accident.

“The Marlboro County coroner said George Garner II, 49 , died Tuesday when the vehicle he was driving collided head-on with a truck,” WYFF 4 noted.

Garner had recently been re-elected as mayor.

“An automobile collision claimed the life of a Marlboro County man today in Darlington County. George Garner II, 49 , of McColl, SC died when the vehicle he was driving collided head on with a truck. The incident occurred on Hwy 34 in Mechanicsville around 2:40 PM. Mr. Garner was the Mayor of McColl, SC and had recently been re-elected,” Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee said in a press release.

“The incident is under investigation by The Darlington County Coroner and the SCHP MAIT team. When the incident occurred Mr. Garner was being pursued by a Marlboro County Deputy. The pursuit was not related to any laws being broken. The pursuit was taking place in an effort to protect the well being of Mr. Garner,” he continued.

Remember that small South Carolina town we reported on a few days back where the whole police force resigned?

Its mayor was killed yesterday after colliding with an 18-wheeler… while he was being pursued by Marlboro County Sheriff’s deputies.https://t.co/kU7NpSiNiE

— Nick Reynolds (@IAmNickReynolds) November 27, 2024

From The Post and Courier:

The accident occurred on Cashua Ferry Road when Garner was driving westbound and veered into the eastbound lane, colliding with an 18-wheeler, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Lena Butler.

Garner was taken to McLeod Regional Medical Center where he died from injuries sustained in the accident, Butler said. The driver of the truck also was injured.

The State Law Enforcement Division said it has an active and ongoing investigation involving Garner, but no further information is available.

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The entire police force in McColl — a town of about 2,000 people located in Marlboro County — recently resigned, citing harassment from a member of the town council and a lack of resources for the department.

When the police force resigned, Garner sourced help from the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, which has since provided 24-hour coverage for the town.

McColl has had significant turnover in the police department in the past several years. Garner previously told The Post and Courier that in order to get a police chief to stay in the town, they needed to work on building trust between the police department and the town council.

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