Stewart takes oath as SLED chief for fifth term

COLUMBIA, S.C. - State Law Enforcement Chief Robert Stewart was sworn in for his fifth term by Gov. Mark Sanford on Thursday.

Stewart has served 18 years as chief of SLED, the statewide law enforcement agency where he's worked for 31 years.

"I think that you have been a constant professional," Sanford said. "The people of South Carolina really owe you a debt of gratitude."

"You're a cop's cop," Sen. John Courson, R-Columbia, said.

Stewart joked that he started out in law enforcement assigned to protect parking meters in Cheraw for $45 a week.

"They pulled the parking meters up, so I don't have a job to go home to," said Stewart, who now makes more than $150,000 yearly.