During the early-morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 2, Officer Matthew Hare, 22, of the Easley (S.C.) Police Department lost his life in the line of duty. Little League® International mourns the loss of Officer Hare who was a graduate of Easley Little League.
According to a report from the Easley Police Department, Officer Hare and his partner encountered a person on the train tracks and were attempting to remove the individual from the tracks when he was struck by a passenger train.
In remarks released by the Easley Police Department, Easley Police Lieutenant Ashley Anderson said, “Officer Hare died saving the life of someone he did not know. He was a hero.”
Office Hare was hired by the Easley Police Department in October 2022 following his graduation earlier last year from the Criminal Justice Academy. Growing up, Officer Hare played baseball in the Easley Little League.
A statement posted to Little League International’s social media pages read: “Little League International joins the Easley community in morning the tragic loss of Easley Police Officer, Matthew Hare, a graduate of Easley Little League. Our thoughts are with Officer Hare’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Later in the day, fellow officers and other law enforcement officials held a procession in memory of Officer Hare. The City of Pickens (S.C.) and The Laurens (S.C.) Police Department posted condolences to the Easley Police Department social media pages.
The flags have been lowered to half-staff in Officer Hare’s memory at the J.B. Owens Sports Complex in Easley, where the 2023 Senior League Baseball World Series is currently being played. The tournament will recognize Officer Hale with a moment of silence.