WHEREAS, September 11, 2002, Sam Simmons, Greenville County Sheriff, died on September 4, 2002; and

WHEREAS, September 11, 2002, the undersigned is authorized to appoint a County Sheriff in the event of a vacancy pursuant to Code of Laws of South Carolina (1976), as amended, Sections 1-3-220(2) (Supp. 1998) and 23-11-40; and

WHEREAS, more than one year remains before the next general election for county sheriffs; and

WHEREAS, Captain Stephen D. Loftis, who is currently the chief deputy in the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, is a fit and proper person to serve as the Sheriff of Greenville County.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of this State, I hereby appoint Stephen D. Loftis as Sheriff of Greenville County until a special election is held pursuant to Section 7-13-190 and until his successor is elected and qualifies.