2025 Statewide Trooper of the Year

Lance Corporal R.A. Lee 
SC Highway Patrol Troop 4, Post C

Lance Corporal R.A. Lee was named the statewide Trooper of the Year for 2025. When a stolen vehicle involved in a pursuit entered Interstate 77 in Chester County going the wrong-way in July 2025, Lance Corporal Lee bravely took action by placing his patrol vehicle directly into the path of the car. The resulting collision totaled Lance Corporal Lee’s patrol vehicle but stopped the chase and prevented several unsuspecting motorists from being injured or killed. 

Trooper of the Year (by Troop):

Troop 1 Trooper of the Year: Sergeant J.D. Griffith

Sergeant J.D. Griffith, Troop 1, Post C (Lexington County) - As Sergeant Griffith assisted a motorist whose car had run out of gas, the call took a harrowing turn when the man became unconscious after falling and hitting his head on the pavement. Sergeant Griffith administered chest compressions and first aid until EMS arrived. Sergeant Griffith’s swift actions and composure during an emergency saved the man’s life.   

Troop 2 Trooper of the Year: Senior Trooper Q.D. Robinson

Senior Trooper Q.D. Robinson, Troop 2, Post A (Laurens and Newberry County) - A traffic stop turned into a foot pursuit after a habitual offender, who was also impaired, attempted to run away. Facing arrest for driving under suspension, the driver took off running on Interstate 385. Senior Trooper Robinson and a second trooper pulled him from the roadway, preventing him from being hit by passing traffic. Senior Trooper Robinson’s decisive actions are credited with saving the man from serious injury or death.

Troop 3 Trooper of the Year: Trooper First Class C.B. Clayton

Trooper First Class C.B. Clayton, Troop 3, Post C (Greenville County) - Since joining the Highway Patrol in 2023, Trooper First Class Clayton has demonstrated deep commitment to the patrol’s core values — and the core causes of fatal collisions. In 2025, he conducted 1,744 traffic stops and took 52 impaired drivers off our roads, leading his SCHP Troop Post in seatbelt enforcement and DUI arrests, while still investigating more than 400 collisions. 

Troop 4 Trooper of the Year: Lance Corporal R.A. Lee*

Lance Corporal R.A. Lee,* Troop 4, Post C (Chester and Fairfield County) - When a wrong-way driver entered the interstate during a pursuit in a stolen vehicle, Lance Corporal Lee bravely took action by placing his patrol vehicle directly into the path of the car. The resulting collision totaled Lance Corporal Lee’s patrol vehicle but stopped the chase and prevented several unsuspecting motorists from being injured or killed. 

Troop 5 Trooper of the Year: Lance Corporal C.I. Carter

Lance Corporal C.I. Carter, Troop 5, Post D (Horry County) - Lance Corporal C.I. Carter is credited with saving the life of an arrestee after he became unresponsive moments after arriving at the county jail for booking. Lance Corporal Carter immediately requested EMS and administered several doses of Narcan to resuscitate the man. After his condition stabilized, the man admitted to ingesting a lethal amount of heroin during the traffic stop because he was trying to avoid getting caught with possession of the opioid.

Troop 6 Trooper of the Year: Lance Corporal T.L. Boyd

Lance Corporal T.L. Boyd, Troop 6, Post C (Beaufort and Jasper County) - A call to assist a motorist turned urgent when Lance Corporal Boyd came across the elderly motorist face down in a ditch, struggling to keep his head above water. Lance Corporal Boyd quickly pulled the man to safety. Although disoriented and showing signs of hypothermia, the man was taken to the hospital and made a full recovery. Lance Corporal Boyd worked diligently to identify the man’s family, who lived in North Carolina, to ensure they were notified of the situation. 

Troop 7 Trooper of the Year: Corporal J.E. Deas

Corporal J.E. Deas, Troop 7, Post C (Aiken County) - As fire consumed a house in Aiken County, in which three children were trapped, Corporal Deas worked with sheriff’s deputies and fire personnel to pull all three children out of the house before it was fully engulfed. He then administered CPR and lifesaving measures to one of the children who wasn’t breathing. Tragically,  all three of the children died, while the mother survived. Despite the tragic outcome, Corporal Deas’ response in the face of an emergency is a courageous inspiration for all first responders. 

Troop 8 Trooper of the Year: Master Trooper T.M. Bell

Master Trooper T.M. Bell, Troop 8, Area Coordinated Enforcement Unit (Mid-state) - Master Trooper Bell couldn’t stay retired from the Highway Patrol, returning to duty in 2023. Less than a year later, Master Trooper Bell received a serious medical diagnosis where he adamantly told his fellow troopers he would be back. He proudly returned to service in January 2025 with a clean bill of health and hit the ground running. He conducted 744 traffic stops, wrote 451 tickets and 415 warnings, worked 95 collisions, and assisted 166 motorists. Trooper Bell’s work ethic and dedication to serving his community are an inspiration.

Troop 9 Trooper of the Year: Lance Corporal J.R. Himes

Lance Corporal J.R. Himes, Troop 9, Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (Coastal) - A member of the Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation (MAIT) Team, Lance Corporal Himes played a leading role in several complex collision investigations, including a 13-car pileup on I-95. While credited with the success of many investigations throughout the year, his tenacious attitude and strong investigative skills allowed him to identify and arrest a driver in a hit-and-run collision that killed a motorcyclist, providing closure for the victim’s grieving family. 

Troop 10 Trooper of the Year: Master Trooper M.R. Ridgeway

Master Trooper M.R. Ridgeway, Troop 10, Community Relations, Recruitment, and FOIA Unit (Troop 3 CRO) - While enforcement remains a priority, education is a critical component in how we reduce fatalities in South Carolina. As a Community Relations Officer, Master Trooper Ridgeway takes the message of traffic safety beyond the roadways -- to classrooms, town festivals, and living rooms, reaching thousands of people in the process. In 2025, he delivered 210 safety talks and 637 media interviews, acting as a trusted spokesperson for the Highway Patrol.

*Indicates statewide winner for 2025 Trooper of the Year

2025 Statewide Telecommunications Operator of the Year

Nicholas Brown
Telecommunications Operator I, Blythewood Telecommunications Center

Nicholas Brown was named the statewide Telecommunications Operator of the Year for 2025. Since joining the Blythewood Telecommunications Center right out of high school in 2024, Nicholas has demonstrated an extraordinary level of proficiency, maturity, and commitment. In the frantic moments after Trooper First Class Dennis Ricks was struck by a box truck during a traffic stop on August 10, 2025, Nicholas took over the call from a fellow TCO who was understandably shaken. He kept his composure during the remainder of the call, relaying crucial details in a tragic moment marked by urgency and emotional weight. 

Telecommunication Operator of the Year (by Region):

Blythewood Telecommunications Center: Nicholas Brown, Telecommunications Operator I**

Charleston Telecommunications Center: Stephanie Shepherd, Telecommunications Supervisor

Florence Telecommunications Center: Bradley Kennedy, Assistant Telecommunications Supervisor

Greenville Telecommunications Center: Kristopher Moore, Telecommunications Operator II

***Indicates statewide winner for 2025 TCO of the Year