The Florence County Sheriff's Office deputy who was seriously injured during a vehicle pursuit has been released from the hospital. On July 3, 2021 FCSO Deputy Dominique Ellerbe was involved in a vehicle pursuit in a southerly direction on U.S. Highway 52 near Effingham, SC when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the grass median and struck a tree. After a nearly 2 hour extraction by Florence County EMS and Howe Springs Fire Department, Ellerbe was air lifted from the scene to an area hospital where she spend approximately two weeks in intensive care. Due the extent of her injuries, Ellerbe will require significant rehabilitation.
"All of our deputies know that this is a dangerous job, and like Dominique, we accept that," Sheriff TJ Joye stated. "She has such a fighting spirit, we know she can't wait to get back to work. We're praying for a full and speedy recovery."
Ellerbe was escorted from the hospital to her home earlier today by fellow deputies with the Florence County Sheriffs Office.
Serve & Connect, a nonprofit organization focused on fostering positive change through police-community partnerships has established a fund for Deputy Ellerbe which will be open through October 2021. Since 2015, Serve & Connect has raised more than $700,000.00 for families of fallen or injured law enforcement officers in South Carolina. Serve & Connect was founded by Kassie Alia Ray in memory of her late husband, Officer Gregory Alia, who was killed in the line of duty on September 30, 2015. This fundraiser is endorsed by the South Carolina Law
6719 Friendfield Road • Effingham, South Carolina 29541 Sheriff (843) 665-2121 • Detention Center (843) 665-9944 Enforcement Officer's Association, the South Carolina Sheriffs Association, South Carolina Police Chief's Association South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police and the Florence County Sheriffs Office. 100% of all funds raised will be provided directly to Deputy Ellerbe during her recovery. Anyone wishing to make a tax deductible donation can do so by visiting https://serveandconnect.networkforgood.com/proj ects/13 5668 -support-deputyellerbe-recovery.
