News 12 at 6 o'clock / Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Surrounded around the podium on the floor of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Rep. Bill Clyburn of Aiken addressed the House.

"We've lost two of our protectors, and it really hurts," he said.

The day after Aiken Department of Public Safety laid another one of its officers to rest, the State House honored Master Cpl. Sandy Rogers with prayer.

"Fellow colleagues, join us in a moment of solemn prayer," Clyburn said.

As they prayed for the fallen, they also prayed for a community that feels lost.

"The Aiken community has been through so much, and to have two law enforcement officers to fall within six weeks is heartbreaking," said South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Haley attended the funeral services at the USC Aiken Convocation Center on Wednesday.

"It was an absolute honor to be there," she said.

But the governor and members of the Aiken Delegation say they hope something good can come from what's been a sad few weeks for the Aiken community.

"I want to present something that will allow students ... to be taught the importance of taking care of babies, seniors and police men," Clyburn said.

Haley says it goes all the way back to when youths learn on how to be a person of service.

"But also on why we've got to make sure that the responsibility comes back to our households," Haley said.

Additionally, Clyburn is already working on a bill that will give counties the ability to create citizen relation boards.

Rep. Bill Taylor of Aiken encourages those initiatives but says the community need not worry.

"This is the face of evil that we saw on Saturday. This does not speak to the Aiken community," he said firmly.

Taylor says Joshua Tremaine Jones, the suspected murderer, didn't live in or come from Aiken. Taylor says it's purely happenstance that he wound up in Aiken that morning.

"It isn't, from my view, this particular issue an Aiken problem. It's just that we get tainted with that and that's really unfortunate," he said. "Tragedy is part of life, unfortunately, and I think we have to look at all of this and band together as a community."

Haley says she's also increased law enforcement spending in the executive budget she just released. She says law enforcement spending is not only important, but it's also a core function of government.

Clyburn's wife was a counselor to Scott Richardson at South Aiken High School. Both losses took a big toll on his family.