Media: Photos from the ceremony will be posted to the SC Department of Public Safety’s online photo album. Please continue to check for updates.
COLUMBIA — The fourth annual Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Ceremony was held today in Columbia, where several law enforcement professionals from across the state were recognized by Governor Henry McMaster for their exceptional service and professionalism to the state of South Carolina.
Eleven finalists were selected from the nominations submitted by various state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies. One winner from each of the three categories was named during the ceremony. Each winner will receive $10,000 as part of the Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award program.
“South Carolina is fortunate to have the best law enforcement officers in the country. Their work is essential to keeping our communities safe and too often goes unrecognized,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “This ceremony gives us the opportunity to honor the hard work they do every day to serve the people of our state with bravery and integrity.”
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety serves as the program administrator of the Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award program. As outlined in Proviso 63.10, the program establishes an advisory committee with law enforcement leaders appointed by Governor McMaster. The committee reviews nominations submitted by South Carolina law enforcement associations, then votes for the overall winner of each category. Each winner is chosen with respect to their professionalism, dedication to duty, community service, valor, and innovation in the law enforcement profession.
“The Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year program has given our agency the honor to partner with the Governor’s office to acknowledge the finest in South Carolina law enforcement,” SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV said. “These individuals do not perform their duties for praise or accolades, yet it is essential that we celebrate their outstanding achievements. In doing so, we properly thank them for a job well done and elevate the standard for the entire profession.”
The awards were presented to law enforcement professionals in three categories during the ceremony.
2025 State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:
Lieutenant Jamie Shaw
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
2025 County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:
Lieutenant John “Alex” Clark
York County Sheriff’s Office
2025 Municipal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:
Sergeant Christopher Bellamy
North Myrtle Beach Police Department
The following is a complete list of finalists. *Indicates overall category winner
2025 State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year finalists:
Lieutenant Jamie Shaw*
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Private First Class Justin “Tyler” Urquhart
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Lance Corporal Richard Lee
South Carolina Highway Patrol
2025 County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year finalists:
Deputy First Class William “Hunter” Brown
Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office
Lieutenant John “Alex” Clark*
York County Sheriff’s Office
Lieutenant Corinthian Green
Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy II Lisandra Piercey
Greenville County Sheriff’s Office
Patrolman First Class Kenneth Spears
Horry County Police Department
2025 Municipal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year finalists:
Sergeant Christopher Bellamy*
North Myrtle Beach Police Department
Sergeant Diego Lizarazo
North Charleston Police Department
Lance Corporal Joseph Murphy
Columbia Police Department