URCH WINS SOLICITOR'S AWARD FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT EXCELLENCE IN SPARTANBURG

When it comes to building strong criminal cases, Spartanburg County sheriff's deputy Neal Urch is a master.

Seventh Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy honored the 17-year veteran police officer for his diligence tonight during a law enforcement appreciation dinner at Spartanburg's Cleveland Park.

"Neal is a prosecutors dream in terms of the effort he puts into his work," Gowdy said. "He is a tireless worker. He puts everything he has into every case. It doesn't matter whether it is a murder mystery or a simple misdemeanor."

Urch's efforts produce some impressive results. He maintained a case clearance rate of more than 80 percent during his work as a detective over the past two years.

The veteran deputy coordinated the June investigation into a shooting death at Greer Dragway. Urch and his co-workers had to interview scores of witnesses at the track to get an accurate account of the killing. Urch and his team worked overnight to develop the case to the point where they could charge Randy Johnson, 29, of Anderson with murder.

Urch is no stranger to crimes involving large numbers of people.

Nine people charged in connection to an Urch-led homicide investigation near Inman were found guilty. Eight of the nine defendants in the murder of Shawn Bobo admitted their guilt before their cases were called to trial. The ninth defendant received a 30-year-prison sentence after he was convicted at trial in September.

"Neal's work on the Bobo case forced the defendants into a difficult position," Gowdy said. "They had to choose between lengthy prison sentences and the prospect of spending the rest of the lives behind bars."

He was the lead investigator in multi-state violent crime spree that landed a Georgia man in prison with four life terms following a November 2001 jury trial. The defendant, Anthony Michael Owens, was convicted of a string of crimes that resulted from the abduction of South Carolina women during a five-day flight from Georgia authorities who wanted him on a murder charge.

Urch recently transferred out of the detective division to uniform patrol to allow him time to further his education. He wants to earn a law degree and go to work as a prosecutor in a Solicitor's Office. In his free time, he volunteers to teach a courtroom testimony for his peers at the Sheriff's Office.

Urch started his law enforcement career with the Lyman Police Department in 1985. He joined the Sheriff's Office in 1987 as a patrol deputy. He worked nine years in the narcotics division before joining the detective division in 1997.

Eighteen sponsors contributed money and services to support the law enforcement appreciation dinner. The group includes Fairway Outdoor Advertising, Gramling Brothers Inc., BMW Manufacturing, The Herald-Journal, Dave Edwards Toyota, American Services Inc., Southern States P.B.A. Inc., Tindall Corporation, Mr. William Alex Hudson II, Mr. Ed Mabry, Westgate Mall, Farrell Chevrolet, CWS Insurance, Mr. Manning Lynch, Canyon's Eatery, Ron Hawkins/Prudential Realty, Marantha Manor of Spartanburg Inc., and the Chopping Block.

For more information, contact Murray Glenn at 596-3862 or 809-4892.