‘He found his purpose in life and God’: Pastor remembers fallen Marion County deputy

DILLON, S.C. (WMBF) - Hundreds of family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers gathered at First Baptist Church of Dillon for the visitation of fallen Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan David Price.

Late last week, Price and another driver were killed after their vehicles collided.

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Three years ago, Price met Pastor Jamie Arnette as he began participating in a weekly bible study.

“A few years ago, he was involved in ministry and he was serving as a missionary in some bible camps and when he moved back here he was trying to find where God wanted him to plug in,” said Arnette.

As Price searched for ways to serve his community, he found law enforcement.

He started with the Dillon Police Department before becoming a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office last September.

“He found his purpose in life and God was using Him as a minister in a different way through law enforcement. He loved that position and I think our community was heartbroken not so much for David, because I think everyone in our community knows where David is, he’s at home with the Lord, but the people here are grieving for his family and our hearts are broken for them,” said Arnette.

Price was a husband and father of three small children.

Arnette said he set an example for his brothers in law enforcement and more importantly he was a family man who put God first.

“Even his colleagues have said he exemplified Christ in the way he carried out his day-to-day duties and he also did that at home. One of the things his wife told me recently was that David made it his aim to pray with his children every night when he was home because he wanted to guide them,” said Arnette.

Arnette said over the last few months Price keyed in on one line of scripture in particular.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength, my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14.

“David really wanted to be pure before God, and I think he really tried to live that way and I think we really want to exemplify those realities in this service that people really know what’s hidden in that verse and people might not realize what’s behind the badge,” said Arnette.

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