Colonel Christopher Williamson didn’t set out to make history when he became a law enforcement officer 38 years ago. But since becoming the first African-American commander of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, he has used his platform to promote communication, understanding, and diversity in the communities that South Carolina’s troopers serve.

“We don’t have control over our race, or what color we are when we are born,” Williamson said during a sit-down interview with WACH-FOX 57 in Columbia. “I had no idea that I would be the first African-American colonel of the Highway Patrol. But I always knew if I received the opportunity to do this job, I wanted to be a commander for all people, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, or whatever it may be. I wanted to make sure everyone was treated fairly, equitably, and that the laws were provided equally to all citizens who drive on our state’s highways.”

That philosophy has guided Williamson through 36 years on the Highway Patrol, and is the reason Brookland Baptist Church honored him with the very first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Medallion Award.

“It is a great honor when you can follow in the footsteps of someone like the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King,” the Darlington County native said of receiving the award. “A lot of people get it mixed up and say he was fighting for the rights of African-Americans, but he was fighting for the rights of all people.”

The newly created award recognizes an African-American professional “who has walked in the tradition of Dr. King” while working in the criminal justice system, according to Deacon Warren Gadson, who nominated Colonel Williamson for the honor.

“We wanted someone that is over a law enforcement agency and has done things to bridge gaps between the people and law enforcement,” Gadson said. “I remember following Colonel Williamson over the years as he went through the ranks of the Highway Patrol. He didn’t just make changes; he made history, and I thought he would be the perfect person.”

Williamson accepted the award Saturday, January 13, 2024, during the church’s annual MLK Day Holiday Breakfast. Speaking with WACH-FOX ahead of the breakfast, he said he was motivated to work in law enforcement after witnessing his 9-year-old sister’s death at the hands of a drunk driver when he was only 12 years old. He recalled seeing her thrown from her bicycle, his family riding behind the hearse, and seeing his tough father cry over the tragically early death of his daughter.

“And you, as the oldest child, really can’t do anything about it at the time,” he said. “You just want to sit there and take care of your father. So that was my dedication and my commitment to my parents: That I would one day go off to college and become a law enforcement officer and remove drunk drivers from the roadway.”

As a trooper, Williamson has tried to save lives and change the way people drive. He also has tried to change the way they view and interact with law enforcement, especially in minority communities. It’s a challenge that he embraces.

“You can go into these communities and show them that not all police officers are bad,” he said. “Even though things may occur and look one way, you still have a certain responsibility to make sure we bridge the gap between the communities and the law enforcement agencies. If their perception of us as a law enforcement agency is negative, it’s our job to change the perception of the community.”

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