Funeral services for Dep. Damien Draper Bost are today (June 29) at 1 p.m. at South Columbus High School.
Visitation will continue until 12:30 p.m. at the school. Motorists are asked to use extra caution due to heavy traffic on U.S. 701 South in the area of the high school, and afterward in Nakina, where he will be interred.
Bost, 30, was killed Thursday when a tractor-trailer rearended his patrol car while he was escorting painting crew on U.S. 74 at Hallsboro. Bost was off duty but working overtime as an escort for a painting crew on the highway. Sheriff Bill Rogers said that Bost’s lights were activated when Samuel David McPherson, 44, rammed the patrol car with an 18-wheeler loaded with grain.
Had it not been for Bost, Rogers said, the paint crew might have been killed or injured. McPherson was arrested for misdemeanor death by vehicle and other charges, and is being held under $100,000 bond.
A beloved school resource officer, Bost was well-known his particular connection with children. As an SRO at Old Dock and South Columbus High School, Bost frequently joined impromptu soccer games with the students. He was active in the DARE program, and never missed an opportunity to wear the DARE lion costume in parades and other special events.
Memorials have been set up for students, teachers and staff at each school where he served. Bost was a deputy for eight years with the sheriff’s office.
Deputy Bost leaves behind his wife Jayden and two young daughters, as well as his mother, siblings and multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.
The Sandhills chapter of the Police Benevolent Association has established an account for donations to the family. This is the only account approved by the Bost family and the sheriff’s office. For more information go to https://pbfi.networkforgood.com/projects/302480-deputy-damien-bost-memorial-fund .
A meal train has also been set up for the family. Donations can be made there by logging onto https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/N7E8Q0I .
