On a Monday morning in Pickens, South Carolina, 65-year-old Dickie Ray Stewart's life came to a heroic and tragic end. A beloved member of his community, known for his kind and helpful nature, Stewart was at home on September 14, 2015, when he became concerned about his friend and neighbor, 75-year-old Bill Isaacs, a retired and well-respected high school football coach.
Earlier that morning, Isaacs had contacted the police to report that someone might have been shooting at his home and
vehicles with a pellet gun, the third such complaint he had made in just over a year. A detective had visited with Isaacs, and after the officer left to retrieve some paperwork, Isaacs decided to take a walk. Moments later, Stewart spotted his friend lying in another neighbor's yard and immediately called 911 to get help.
While on the phone with the emergency dispatcher, Stewart approached his friend to check on him. It was during this selfless act that the 911 operator heard a sudden bang, followed by Stewart's scream. He yelled, 'I've been shot,' and then, 'He shot me too!' before his voice fell silent. Both Stewart and Isaacs were found deceased in the yard of their neighbor, 64-year-old Albert Bowen.
Within minutes of the fatal shootings, authorities arrested Bowen at his home. He was subsequently charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Dickie Ray Stewart and Bill Isaacs. Stewart, a husband of forty-four years, father, and grandfather, was remembered by those who knew him as a man of faith with a sparkling sense of humor who was always ready to offer a helping hand. His final moments, captured on the 911 call, were a testament to his character, as he placed his own life in danger to aid a friend in need.
