They say that if you find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life. This has held especially true for Master Officer Michael Hydrick, who chose to return to his career at the Bureau of Protective Services after only a month-long retirement.
“My golden years of retirement lasted a whopping 32 days,” Hydrick chuckled. “The main motivation was not money. I returned because I’ve enjoyed working with the department and the people who work here.”
After receiving a college degree in civil engineering, Hydrick continued his studies and applied for a position at the Department of Natural Resources.
“I went to the board interview with the final 10 applicants,” Hydrick explained. “There were nine police officers in uniform from different agencies, and I was the only one in a suit. So they told me to come back after I had gained some experience.”
For the next several years, Hydrick put his dream of law enforcement on hold to provide for his growing family by working as a manager at the International Paper Company. In 1999, Hydrick decided to test the waters in the law enforcement profession and joined BPS. A division of the Department of Public Safety, BPS ensures the safety and security of employees and visitors at the Capitol Complex, along with the SC Supreme Court and Governor’s Mansion.
Initially, Hydrick planned to stay for five years to build up his resume before reapplying with DNR. However, he soon discovered that he loved the duties and camaraderie he found at BPS.
“At that five-year mark, I thought, ‘You know, maybe the grass is not greener on the other side,’” he said.
Over the past 26 years, Hydrick regularly patrolled the Governor’s Mansion, working closely with four governors and their families. This special dynamic played a significant role in his decision to stay with BPS.
In early 2025, Hydrick learned that Police Officer Retirement System (PORS) members who retired on or after January 2, 2013, but were age 57 or older on their date of retirement, could return to work while still enjoying retirement benefits without an earnings limitation.
“When an officer retires, a lot of experience retires with them,” Hydrick said. “For anyone who’s thinking about it, I encourage them to consider coming back.”
These days, Hydrick has resumed his usual shift at the Governor’s Mansion—and he has no plans to leave again anytime soon.
“I’m excited to continue working with my friends and coworkers here at the Governor’s Mansion, while keeping them safe,” Hydrick said. “I want to thank the department for allowing me to come back to work and complete my journey. It has been a very fulfilling experience.”
If you’re interested in learning about a career with the Bureau of Protective Services, please visit the careers page: https://scdps.sc.gov/careers/bps
