Very few people have the huge opportunity — and responsibility — of protecting the lives of the governor and the first family. For 22 years, Captain Dean Johnson of the South Carolina Highway Patrol has had the opportunity to protect not one, but three South Carolina governors and their families.
“I’m proud that I was afforded the opportunity to stay this long,” said Johnson, who retired Jan. 1, 2025, with a total of 27 years of service to the Highway Patrol. “That speaks volumes. I’ve seen people come and go, and feel that I must have done something right to stay with it this long.”
Guarding South Carolina’s top elected official was never something Johnson set out to do. Much like becoming a state trooper, it was something he just happened upon.
“When I was in the Air Force, there were a couple of troopers who came to drill,” Johnson recalled. “The impression they made drew me to the Highway Patrol.”
That chance encounter led to conversations, during which Johnson learned that the rank structure and the culture were very similar to the military. He joined the patrol and became a trooper in 1997, patrolling the roads of Aiken County. But his new career was put on hold in 2001, after the 9/11 terror attacks.
“I got a phone call the next morning saying I had to report to Charleston within 24 hours, and that I should be prepared to be activated for at least a year, possibly longer,” Johnson said. “I came to Columbia, turned in all my Highway Patrol equipment, and reported to Charleston.”
After a yearlong deployment to the Middle East, Johnson was released from active duty and returned to the roadways of Aiken County in December 2002 — but not for long. Colonel Michael Kelley requested a meeting with Johnson to offer him an opportunity on the Governor’s Protective Detail protecting incoming Governor Mark Sanford.
“I said, ‘Sure, but what is that?’” Johnson recalled. “Within 10 minutes of leaving the interview, I got a call and they said I have the job if I want it.”
Johnson’s first day on the detail was one of the biggest days in a governor’s career: Inauguration Day. Their introduction to the man whose life they were responsible for was slightly less ceremonial.
“The detail leader, who was a SLED lieutenant, gathered us up and said, ‘Governor, this is your new detail,’” Johnson recalled with a chuckle. “And that was about it.”
The detail is comprised of SLED agents, Department of Natural Resources officers, and Highway Patrol troopers and the selected few are responsible for the security of the Governor, First Lady, Lieutenant Governor, or visiting dignitaries.
The detail travels with the governor at all times, whether that’s to the State House, The White House, and even other countries, said Johnson, who has been to the Grand Canyon, the Pentagon, the Republican National Convention, and too many Clemson and South Carolina football games to count.
“I’ve picked up numerous dignitaries from the airport and taken them to different locations,” he said. “Over 22 years, there are so many things I’ve been able to do and places I’ve been able to go.”
Johnson’s exciting career appeared to come full circle with Governor McMaster’s inauguration in 2022. There, he took a photo with Sanford, Haley, and McMaster — the three governors he guarded.
“They put together a certificate for me for 20 years of service on the detail,” he said. “Being recognized for that was humbling, because they took the time out of their schedules and afforded me the time to have that moment.”
After spending 22 years looking after South Carolina governors and their families, Johnson said he needs to focus on his own family for a bit, especially his mother, who recently was diagnosed with cancer. Remembering the attention and focus this job requires, Johnson made the difficult decision to retire, saying it is in the best interest of the detail.
“I didn’t want to come to work and know I had this job to do but worry about what was happening with my mom,” he said. “I felt like I’m needed more at home than at the job. I wanted to go out on a good note and on my terms. Everybody has been supportive, and there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll miss this.”
While Johnson may be leaving the Highway Patrol, he said he’s not finished working. He has a commercial driver’s license, and looks forward to exploring other post-retirement jobs in the future. But, he’ll still miss his coworkers at the Highway Patrol and on the governor’s detail.
“I’ll miss the camaraderie — the feeling of being a part of something bigger than me,” he said.
“I’ll miss the people most. The job will be here long after I’m gone, but I’ll stay in contact with the people I’ve built relationships with. It’s not goodbye. It’s ‘See you later.’”