MEDIA: ALL PHOTOS AND A NARRATIVE REGARDING EACH WINNER CAN BE FOUND HERE:
https://scdps.sc.gov/news/2017/comm/Troop_of_year2016
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety held a ceremony today honoring troopers from around the state for exceptional service in 2016. SCHP also recognized Telecommunications Operators from around the state for the support they provide to the Highway Patrol and other DPS law enforcement divisions.
Gov. Henry McMaster spoke to award recipients at the Blythewood ceremony, emphasizing the important role law enforcement plays in society and the importance of setting a good example in their communities.
2016 Trooper of the Year, L/Cpl. Kenneth M. Small, Troop Eight, Safety Improvement Team.
L/Cpl. Kenneth M. Small (above), of Florence County, received the South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year award. Small, who resides in Florence, was chosen from among 10 other nominees from around the state. Small, assigned to Troop Eight/Safety Improvement Team, was alerted to an unresponsive child during a traffic stop on November 10, 2016, and performed CPR, saving the child’s life. (see attached link for narrative and YouTube link to video from the incident: https://youtu.be/uuA46hxwPmk)
TCO Bradford Lee (above) of the Florence Telecommunications Center was chosen as the overall Telecommunications winner. He was recognized for the outstanding work he does each day to support troopers and other law enforcement as well as the motoring public (see attached link for narrative).
Trooper of the Year Nominees:
First row from left:
Trooper Richard A. Finch, Troop 3; L/Cpl. Kenneth F. Small, Troop Five, **Also presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award; OVERALL TROOPER OF THE YEAR: L/Cpl. Kenneth M. Small, Troop Eight ** Also, presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award; Trooper Lewis M. Metts, Troop 7; Sergeant Jeremy T. Leach, Troop Nine, Pee Dee MAIT, ** Also presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award.
Second row from left:
TFC William B. Sprouse III, Troop Two, **Also presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award; L/Cpl. Cedric D. Morgan, **Also presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award; Troop 4; Cpl. Stephen Daniel Southerland, Troop Six, **Also presented Director’s Award for Exceptional Public Service; L/Cpl. David Jones, Troop 11, ** Also presented Director’s Award for Exceptional Service; Senior Trooper Thomas R. Christofaro, Troop One; Lance Cpl. Joseph Stanley Sr., Troop 10, Insurance Enforcement Unit.
TCO of the Year Nominees:
CO Stephanie Shepherd, Charleston TCC; TCO Bradford D. Lee, Florence TCC; TCO Hope Nichols, Greenville TCC; TCO Ashley F. Glover, Blythewood TCC
SCHP Troop Nominees from around the state:
Troop One:
Senior Trooper Thomas R. Christofaro
Post B (Kershaw/Lee)
Troop Two:
TFC William B. Sprouse III ** Also presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award
Post A (Laurens and Newberry)
Troop Three:
Trooper Richard A. Finch, Jr.
Post A (Anderson)
Troop Four:
L/Cpl. Cedric D. Morgan ** Also presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award
Post C (Chester)
Troop Five:
L/Cpl. Kenneth F. Small ** Also presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award
Post C (Georgetown, Williamsburg)
Troop Six:
Cpl. Stephen Daniel Southerland ** Also presented Director Award for Exceptional Service
Post A (Berkeley/Charleston)
Troop Seven:
Trooper Lewis M. Metts
Post B (Calhoun/Orangeburg)
Troop Eight (Headquarters)
OVERALL STATEWIDE WINNER FOR TROOPER OF THE YEAR:
L/Cpl. Kenneth M. Small, ** Also presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award
Safety Improvement Team
Troop Nine (MAIT Unit) ** Also presented Director’s Medal of Valor Award
Sergeant Jeremy T. Leach
Pee Dee MAIT
Troop Ten (Insurance Enforcement Unit):
Lance Cpl. Joseph Stanley Sr.
Insurance Enforcement Unit
Jasper/Colleton counties
Troop Eleven (Headquarters) ** Also presented Director’s Award for Exceptional Public Service
L/Cpl. David Jones
Community Relations Unit
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Telecommunications Winners:
Blythewood Telecommunications Center:
TCO Ashley F. Glover
Charleston Telecommunications Center:
TCO Stephanie Shepherd
Florence Telecommunications Center:
TCO Bradford D. Lee
Overall Telecommunications Operator of the Year Winner
Bradford D. Lee, Florence Telecommunications Center
Greenville Telecommunications Center:
TCO Hope Nichols
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Director’s Medal of Valor Awards:
Trooper Rebecca L. Winstead: (Troop Three, Post C)
Sergeant Kirk B. Winburn (Troop Four, Post B)
Trooper Morgan E. Benson (Troop Four, Post C)
Director’s Award for Exceptional Public Service:
Sgt. Rupert B. Pope
Troop 11 (Special Operations Unit)
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, Immigration Enforcement Unit and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors. www.scdps.gov