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Police1 columnist W. Thomas Smith

W. Thomas Smith Jr.

W. Thomas Smith Jr., a special deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in Richland County, South Carolina, is a formerly deployed U.S. Marine infantry leader and former SWAT team officer in the nuclear industry.

LATEST ARTICLES
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Tactical EMS / TEMS
S.C. sheriff’s department adds tier-one emergency medical care to law enforcement responsibilities
Special medical training for Richland County deputies puts them in a class of their own
June 13, 2025 12:54 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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National Police Week
Richland County Sheriff’s Department, other S.C. agencies, honored for K-9 sacrifices
Five K-9s from three S.C. LE agencies perished in 2024
May 22, 2025 05:40 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Airborne and Maritime
Protecting South Carolina’s coast: SCDNR ramps up summer enforcement
In partnership with NOAA and the Coast Guard, SCDNR officers patrol nearly 2,900 miles of shoreline to safeguard boaters, wildlife and fisheries
April 12, 2025 01:07 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Patrol Issues
How ‘On Patrol: Live’ brings real-time policing to the public
Since 2022, the reality TV docuseries has provided an unfiltered look at law enforcement in action, offering transparency, boosting community trust and even helping agencies attract recruits
March 11, 2025 12:27 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Command Staff - Chiefs / Sheriffs
South Carolina sheriff re-sworn for an eighth term
“Eight elections later and 28 years, it’s still the same. It’s still very exciting and humbling to be here,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott
January 09, 2025 01:11 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Community Policing
Sheriff Leon Lott again makes S.C. newspaper’s ‘Power List’
Thirty influential leaders recognized as “movers and shakers” for 2024
December 19, 2024 04:58 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Crime
Crime Stoppers Global Solutions expands operations into Eastern Europe
Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff Leon Lott’s model factors into international organization’s work
October 24, 2024 12:24 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Gangs
Midlands Gang Task Force: Battling evolving threats in central South Carolina
Led by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, this multi-agency unit employs innovative tactics to disrupt and dismantle dangerous gangs
July 12, 2024 12:50 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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SWAT
4 qualities every SWAT team member needs
How do law enforcement supervisors shape and refine these necessary mental attributes for responding officers?
May 24, 2024 05:35 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Fitness & Health
Meet C.J., the crisis intervention K-9
This deputy brings an unusually calming peace to cops, the community and critical incidents
February 09, 2024 05:48 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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