Media: Photos from today's ceremony can be found in the online photo album here. 

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame held an induction ceremony today to recognize seven South Carolina officers for their exemplary service to the law enforcement profession.

This ceremony recognizes individuals who have a proven record of excellence in law enforcement with a meritorious achievement award and recognition in the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. 

In addition to an exemplary record, nominees must also have a minimum of 25 years of law enforcement service. The nominees cannot currently be employed by a law enforcement agency or have been employed in the past five years. They may also be nominated posthumously. 

Robert G. Woods IV, Director of the SC Department of Public Safety and chair of the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame Advisory Committee, addressed the attendees with special remarks: 

“It’s a pleasure to be here as we welcome these outstanding officers into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Their induction today ensures their leadership, dedication, and excellence in service to our state are properly recognized and honored. It is also my hope that their distinguished careers serve as an inspiration for every law enforcement professional in South Carolina.”

Representatives from the respective South Carolina law enforcement agencies presented the nominations of the inductees at the ceremony. 

This year’s inductees include:

Chief Charles R. Clark 
Columbia Police Department

Chief William S. Rhodes 
Rock Hill Police Department

Major Stephen D. Wilson 
South Carolina Highway Patrol and South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy

Captain Walter G. Powell, Sr. 
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division

Captain Robert Johnson
South Carolina Department of Corrections

Chief Robert L. Smith
Chapin Police Department

Sheriff A. Lane Cribb
Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office

The first ceremony recognizing officers for meritorious service was held in October 2017. Since then, 63 officers have been inducted into the SC Hall of Fame for excellence in law enforcement, including this year’s honorees. 

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame was created by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly in 1974. That act established the Hall of Fame’s mission as both honoring South Carolina officers who have died in the line of duty and honoring officers in the day-to-day performance of their duties. The legislation that enabled the Hall of Fame also established an advisory committee to determine who would be honored at the Hall of Fame.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame may be visited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can learn more, https://scdps.sc.gov/hof

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.