Loved ones, leaders honor fallen North Myrtle Beach sergeant at bridge dedication

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – A bridge in Horry County now bears the name of a North Myrtle Beach sergeant who was killed in the line of duty.

A ceremony was held Monday morning at the Chris Anderson Boat Landing along Highway 9 near Longs, where the Waccamaw River Swamp Bridge was dedicated to Sgt. Gordon Best.

Best died on Jan. 1, 2021, while he was on duty.

RELATED COVERAGE:

‘New Years will never be the same’: Family, friends honor fallen North Myrtle Beach sergeant on anniversary
‘Forever watching over you’: Children of fallen North Myrtle Beach sergeant honor him in DC
‘Our community is devastated’: North Myrtle Beach officer dies in New Year’s Day crash

Sgt. Gordon Best was killed in a crash early New Year's Day(Source: North Myrtle Beach Dept. of Public Safety)

He was responding to a call for service in Barefoot Landing during the early morning hours and on some wet roads.

Best lost control while heading south on Highway 17, veered into a northbound lane and hit a utility pole. He died at the scene.

The North Myrtle Beach Police Department said the bridge is where Best would go fishing with his father it was only fitting that the bridge is dedicated to him.

“He will be forever missed but honored always, especially when you see his name as you travel over the Waccamaw River Swamp Bridge,” the North Myrtle Beach Police Department posted.

Both of Best’s parents retired from the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety. He started as an intern before becoming a patrol officer in October 2013. He was promoted to sergeant in February 2019.

”Gordon was extremely interested in hunting and fishing, so it was very important to the family as well as his friends to have something named that he loved the most,” said Tom Bruce, Lieutenant for North Myrtle Beach Patrol.

Highway 9 came to a standstill during the unveiling of the dedication of the newly named bridge.

This made way for family, friends, and fellow officers who came out to honor Best.

Best shared many core memories from baptism, hunting, and fishing near the former Waccamaw River Swamp Bridge.

“He was a tremendous person, not only was he a leader in the department, he was a leader in the community, and it was a spot that he grew up, and the values that he showed the city of North Myrtle Beach were established at this location,” said William Bailey, South Carolina State Representative.

Many say Best was a good father, a good friend, and a selfless officer.

“I knew him for about seven years. I was actually was one of his field training officers, so I’ve seen him grow up from when he was a new guy all the way up to Sergeant,” said Bruce.

Although the thought of Best gone leaves somber and mixed emotions, the dedication meant so much to so many.

“He needs to be remembered as a person that was just outstanding in service and someone who loved the community that he served,” said Bailey. “It’s a tremendous honor. Everyone who comes down here now will have to think about the values of Sergeant Best and it’s something we can benefit from.”