South Carolina
“Through high-quality, repetitive training, we will become a safer country.”
SWAT
Deputy Sarah Merriman, a Special Response Team operator with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, is seen during tactical training
Leon Lott serves as Richland County sheriff and S.C. State Guard commander
In the last 30 minutes of her shift, Officer Wallace conducted a traffic stop that led her to arresting a wanted suspect in a shooting
“Missing: Dead or Alive” will follow Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigators as they work missing persons cases
Sheriff Leroy Ravenell: “Everybody — no matter how violent gets a bond. This subject was out on bond for weapons violations. And now he’s arrested again on guess what charges?”
One deputy fired a blank round from his simulation firearm, then a colleague shot back with a loaded gun
Bill passed to lower minimum hiring age brings a new detention deputy to Lexington County
Mount Pleasant officers pulled Tamara Palmer over for suspicion of drunk driving after she hit the curb multiple times and failed to stay in the lane
Last year, a bill was signed into law to lower the minimum age for detention deputies from 21 to 18
SWAT
Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Department Corporal Peter Hart describes what makes RCSD’s Special Response Team unique
When the suspect was asked about why he assaulted the officer, he said: “It’s Thanksgiving. I didn’t have anyone to spend it with. I might as well take it out on y’all”
Involuntary manslaughter charges were dropped against Deputy Joshua Bishop, who was in the van and didn’t realize until it was too late that another deputy was risking their lives
“I consider it a tragedy that I have deputies that have to get government assistance to support their family,” writes Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott
Maria Yturria becomes the first Hispanic officer to hold the second-highest rank in the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s 200-plus-year history
Master Police Officer Tyrell Owens-Riley was a member of the Columbia Police Department for more than 7 years
“When you take a 2,500-pound bullet and you ram a deputy who is standing at the apex of a door, this is the end result. Period,” the sheriff said
C.J. Warner, now 21, told Sheriff Leroy Ravenell he always wanted to become a police officer – and he kept that promise a decade later
The law creates new standards for training, conduct and accreditation of law enforcement in South Carolina
“A message to those who are stealing lumber, know our deputies are looking for you and we will stop you,” Sheriff Kevin Tolson said
“We can breach that classroom or that door as quickly as possible to get in and stop or neutralize a threat,” sheriff said
The vending machine – the first of its kind in the state – holds 54 boxes and is stocked by the detention center
Sarah Merriman had exited her cruiser when the suspect’s vehicle reversed, crushing her between the two cars
“What was his intent? To kill as many Richland County deputies as he could,” Sheriff Leon Lott said
One of the three deputies who responded to the call was wounded in the shooting
“I don’t wanna die,” the woman cries. “I got you sweetheart ... You’re OK. You’re not gonna die,” Officer Doug Richards says
“A Penny For Their Thoughts” seeks to raise a penny per mile to help responders and their families
Deputy Austin Derek Aldridge, 25, was responding to a domestic violence call
Deputy Austin Derek Aldridge, 25, was responding to a domestic violence call
Stephen Flood’s lawyer said while it was a terrible tragedy, others were trying to unfairly blame just the former deputy
Law enforcement agency becomes first nationwide to make peace officer promise
First responders traveled from miles around to honor the memory of Roy “Drew” Barr who was shot and killed in the line of duty
A domestic violence suspect tracked officer Drew Barr through his home before firing the fatal shot, police said
