Fallen Spartanburg Deputy Austin Aldridge's organs being donated, hours after shooting death

Fallen Spartanburg County Deputy Austin Aldridge's organs will be donated, just hours after he died Tuesday evening from a gunshot while responding to a domestic disturbance call in Spartanburg earlier that afternoon

"True to his servant’s heart, Austin was both an organ and tissue donor," said Lt. Kevin Bobo of the Sheriff's Office. "He is being transported from the hospital to Columbia for that procedure, and approximately 70 people will benefit from his generous donation."

Aldridge was described as "a loving husband, son, friend and partner to many," according to a GoFundMe page posted Wednesday morning.

Family, friends and elected leaders shared their sorrow for the fallen officer in numerous social media posts.

Aldridge was a former ninth-grade student at Byrnes High School and 2016 graduate of Wren High School in Piedmont, Anderson County. He played football at both Byrnes and Wren.

He was shot Tuesday responding to a domestic call at 3:20 p.m. on Chaffee Road in the Oak Forest subdivision of Spartanburg County when he was shot in the line of duty. He died at 9:26 p.m. at Spartanburg Medical Center from injuries sustained in the shooting, according to Coroner Rusty Clevenger.

The J.F. Floyd Mortuary in Spartanburg is handling funeral arrangements.

What we know: Spartanburg County deputy Austin Aldridge dies in shooting.

A GoFundMe page was organized to  help with unexpected costs related to his death and the months ahead. As of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, $46,741 had been raised, far exceeding the $10,000 goal.

"Austin was a loving husband, son, friend and partner to many, organizer Grace Graves stated. "If you cannot monetarily donate, we ask that you please cover the Aldridge and Link families in your prayers."

Spartanburg County Coroner's Office: Deputy Austin Aldridge dies after shooting on Chaffee Rd.

A prayer vigil was held Wednesday afternoon at the Sheriff's Office.

“I pray that God gets the glory. He sees what has happened in the community. It’s tragic what happened but we will continue to pray to God for restraint. We don’t condone what that man did to the deputy but we continue to pray for strength in not only Spartanburg but in the world," Kenneth Clyburn, pastor at Mount Carmel, said at the vigil.

Early Wednesday morning, Sheriff Chuck Wright lowered the flags at the Sheriff's Office at half staff. Spartanburg County residents brought flowers and laid them by the fallen officers' memorial.

“I didn’t know him personally. He was somebody that helped protect us," said Kristy Johnson.  “It crushes me. It’s not right that officers often die to protect us. It breaks my heart."

Jessica DeSalvo Newton said growing up, she was friends with Aldridge's sister.

"Austin was eight to nine years younger than me. I did not know him very well, but his sister was one of my best friends," Newton said. "Since he was so much younger, I don’t know much of his friend circle.

"I do know that he was a very respectful young man, comes from an extremely respectful down to earth family – with strong faith and the biggest love for Jesus."

According to North Greenville University, Aldridge attended there from the Fall 2016 semester through the Fall 2018 semester, pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice. His wife, Jessica Link Aldridge, graduated from NGU in 2018.

The university stated it will lower flags on both the Tigerville and Greer campuses to half-mast from Wednesday evening to sunrise Monday, June 27, in memory of Aldridge.

“We grieve at the loss of Deputy Aldridge, even as we pray for his wife Jessica and their families,” stated NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant Jr. “NGU equips transformational leaders for church and society, and these leaders are prepared to offer Christ-like service no matter where they are called. We are grateful for his sacrificial service to our community.

"His desire to serve with distinction was well-known to all. He loved Spartanburg County and serving under Sheriff Wright in particular. May God have mercy on us all as we seek His face in the midst of this tragedy.”

Aldridge's patrol unit is parked out front of the Sheriff's Office for those who want to stop by and pay their respects, Bobo said.

The black and white four-door Ford Explorer was prepped by Williams Detail Shop of Spartanburg and adorned with blue and black balloons and ribbons, candles, American flags, numerous bouquets of flowers, a pinwheel and a framed picture of Aldridge.

"I have a lot of respect for law enforcement. I have a brother in law who is a police officer in Clinton," said Elijah Walters, 22, of southern Spartanburg County.

Another who stopped to view Aldridge's vehicle was First Sgt. Nancy Vinson with the Sheriff's Office.

"A good officer was taken away too soon," Vinson said. "My heart goes out to the family and officers that worked with him."

Bobo said the Sheriff's Office thanks everyone who has paid their respects.

"The words thank-you are not enough for the outpouring of love, prayer, food, and drink donations this agency has received since the incident yesterday afternoon," he said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg County mourns loss of fallen deputy Austin Aldridge