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1998 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
 

Press Conference: Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

Award: Remarks by Attorney General Charlie Condon

4/16/98

I'd like to welcome you this morning for what we hope will be an annual event.

Everyone involved in planning for this occasion agreed that we needed an award to honor line officers, the men and women who dedicate their lives to ensure the safety of their fellow South Carolinians. The State Chamber of Commerce agreed to help sponsor the event and nine law enforcement organizations offered their help.

We divided the state into four regions -- the Upstate, the Pee Dee, the Midlands, and the Low Country -- and asked a committee of law enforcement representatives to choose three nominees from each region. Then a committee from the State Chamber of Commerce selected a winner from each region and, from among these four, a statewide winner.

As a token of appreciation, we decided to give each winner a plaque and a vacation trip to Myrtle Beach for the entire family.

The Officers of the Year

So before we begin, I'd like to recognize the people and organizations who collaborated with my office to make this occasion possible.

First, the representatives of the nine law enforcement organizations who served as a nominating committee to select three finalists from each of the state's four regions. Members of the nominating committee included:

  • Chief Robert Stewart of the State Law Enforcement Division;
  • Mr. Marion Baker, president, and Mr. Tommy Thompson, assistant director, of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association;
  • Sheriff Samuel P. Riley, President of the South Carolina Sheriff's Association;
  • the Honorable J.C. Rowe, Mayor of the City of Forest Acres and member of the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association;
  • First Sergeant Robert H. Rowe, immediate past-president of the South Carolina Troopers Association;
  • Lawrence Pathel, President of the Campus Law Enforcement Association;
  • Sergeant S.R. Harper, President of the Palmetto State Law Enforcement Officers Association;
  • Mr. Linnie Hicks, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, Training Division;
  • and Maj. Mark Hugeley, formerly of the South Carolina Wildlife Commission, now Assistant S.L.E.D. Director in charge of the Criminal Justice Information Center;
Second, I'd like to thank the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce for its work in choosing the four regional finalists -- and the overall winner. Mr. Hunter Howard played a key role, as did Ms. Joyce Green. Indeed, we're grateful to all members of the Chamber who devoted valuable time to this project.

Third, I'd like to offer special thanks to the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce for enabling our winners and their families to take this all-expenses-paid vacation to the Family Fun Capital of the East Coast. I particularly want to single out Ashby Ward, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Chamber, who helped make this dream vacation possible for all four honorees. In addition, I'd like to thank our other sponsors, whose generosity has enhanced our efforts to honor these outstanding law enforcement officers. These include:

  • Blue Cross/Blue Shield, with particular thanks to Ed Sellers;
  • Bill Amick of Amick Farms;
  • SCANA
  • and the Liberty Life Insurance Company, with special thanks to Hayne Hipp, Allen Chapman, Ron Lowen, Michael Fanning, and Rick Kuppins, who is with us today.
Finally, I'd like to welcome the law enforcement officers attending this ceremony, and also the families of those receiving awards. In a real sense, this occasion honors you as well -- for the many contributions you've made to the lives and careers of these outstanding officers. This award is an attempt, however inadequate, to honor all those who have risked their lives in the defense of law and community. Unfortunately, we can't name every single officer who has stopped a speeding car driven by an armed robber, or entered a warehouse in response to a late-night alarm, or attempted to calm a dangerous domestic violence scene. But in honoring these four officers for their outstanding achievements, we intend to recognize everyone who serves on the front line in the war against crime.

I'm pleased that we've come together for this purpose. I hope this ceremony will express the gratitude of all the people of South Carolina to the men and women who daily risk their lives so we will be safer and more secure.

We're honored to have Governor David Beasley here today. His presence reaffirms his continuing commitment to law enforcement and to the line officers who make our state safe.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Governor Beasley.

Governor speaks.

Robert Grimsley Thank you, Gov. Beasley. And now for the awards, which Governor Beasley will present.

The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the Low Country is Robert W. Grimsley, Jr. of the Charleston County Sheriff's Department.

Malcolm Cameron
The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the Midlands is Malcolm H. Cameron of the Chester County Sheriff's Office.

Gary Atkinson
The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the Pee Dee is Gary K. Atkinson of the Sumter Police Department.

Dewitt McCraw, Jr.
The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the Upstate is E. Dewitt McCraw, Jr. of the State Law Enforcement Division.

The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the State of South Carolina is E. Dewitt McCraw, Jr. of S.L.E.D.

 

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