Inaugural Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer Of The Year Ceremony Recognizes 13 Statewide Finalists, Three Winners

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2023 
Contact: Kyle McGahee, Office of Public Affairs, 803-896-8747 

Media:  Photos from the ceremony will be posted to the SC Department of Public Safety’s Flickr account and SCDPS Facebook page later this afternoon, May 19, 2023. Please continue to check for updates. 

COLUMBIA — In an effort to publicly recognize excellence in law enforcement, Governor Henry McMaster held the inaugural Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Ceremony in Columbia today. This was the first ceremony of its kind to honor law enforcement professionals from every major level of government in South Carolina for their exemplary service in 2022. In total, 13 finalists were identified from various state, county, and municipal agencies and three winners were awarded $10,000 each as part of the Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award program.

“The officers recognized today represent the very best our state has to offer,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “It’s truly a privilege to honor these fine men and women for their dedication to duty, service, and valor. Each finalist and winner fully embodies what it means to be a public servant and an outstanding law enforcement professional.”

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety was named as the program administrator of the Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award program. As outlined in Proviso 63.10, which comes from the state budget, an advisory committee was established with members appointed by Governor McMaster. The committee includes law enforcement leaders who review and select winners in the three categories mentioned for their professionalism, dedication to duty, community service, valor, and innovation in the profession.

“When we received word that our agency was being named as the program administrator of this process and this event, we were ecstatic to help shape what it would look like to recognize excellence in law enforcement on a statewide scale,” said SCDPS Director, Robert G. Woods IV. “Despite where they serve and what uniform they wear, this program allows us in the profession to all come together and rally around these exceptional individuals who are doing great work in their communities.”

Awards were presented to officers in several categories during the ceremony.

2022 State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:

Senior Special Agent David H. Owen III
South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

2022 County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:

Staff Sergeant Blake Weathersbee
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office

2022 Municipal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:

Officer Luke Boling
Rock Hill Police Department

The following is a complete list of finalists:
*Indicates overall category winner

2022 STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:

Private First Class James P. Cooler
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Senior Special Agent David H. Owen III*
South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

Trooper Adam D. Piszczatoski
South Carolina Highway Patrol

Assistant Chief Cody J. Wilson
South Carolina Department of Corrections

2022 COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:

Lieutenant Eric V. Kirkland
Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office

Corporal SheRon Knight
Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office

Corporal Jade Pike
Horry County Sheriff’s Office

Staff Sergeant Blake Weathersbee*
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office

Sergeant John S. Williams, Jr
Greenville County Sheriff’s Office

2022 MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:

Officer Zachariah Azari
Charleston Police Department

Officer Luke Boling*
Rock Hill Police Department

Lieutenant Jeffrey A. Brink
Columbia Police Department

Patrolman First Class Jason Marzan
North Charleston Police Department

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, 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.