Trending Topics

‘Beyond the call': S.C. deputy adopts young girl she first met during a call for service

“Because of [Deputy Britanie Bratcher’s] selflessness and love, this very special little girl now has a forever home and will never go without in any way,” the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office stated

Affiliate Article 1 thumbnail - JP - 2026-01-22T164920.908.png

Greenville County Sheriff’s Office

GREENVILLE, S.C. — A Greenville County sheriff’s deputy has officially adopted a young girl she met while responding to a call, marking the end of a long legal process and the beginning of a new family, KTVU reported.

Deputy Britanie Bratcher met the child in 2023 during a call for service. That encounter, according to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, happened at exactly the right moment and eventually led Bratcher to pursue adoption.

| DOWNLOAD: How to launch a DFR program

“What began as a call to protect soon became something much deeper,” the sheriff’s office stated, describing Bratcher as a source of “unconditional love, stability and hope.”

The adoption was finalized on Jan. 12, after what officials described as a lengthy and difficult legal journey. In order to protect the child’s privacy, the sheriff’s office has not released her name, age or the circumstances of the original case, according to the report.

Sheriff’s officials praised Bratcher’s actions as an example of service that “went above and beyond the call of law enforcement.”

“Because of her selflessness and love, this very special little girl now has a forever home and will never go without in any way.”

Trending
After the three officers, all rated 100% disabled by the VA, were suspended in May 2025, they sued the Riverside Police Department for discrimination
During a 2025 shootout that wounded seven officers, Officer Matthew Medina moved his wounded friend and colleague to shelter, helped render aid and drove him to the hospital
The Shots Fired hosts analyze the rapid NYPD response and the broader security concerns raised by the demonstration outside Gracie Mansion
Under the new bill the state commission could remove sheriffs who have felony convictions, are prohibited from owning guns or have not served in LE for the required five years
Company News
Engineered for mission-ready performance, the new docking stations combine Gamber-Johnson’s trusted durability with a refined, modern design built for demanding environments

Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com