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A group of current and former law enforcement personnel rallied Friday behind the candidacy of Democratic candidate for governor Tommy Moore.

Among those appearing in Columbia with Moore, a state senator from Clearwater, were Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and retired Highway Patrol Commander Ralph Mobley, both Democrats; Chris Gardner, Pelion police chief; and Republican state Sen. Jake Knotts of West Columbia, a retired police detective who had considered an independent candidacy for governor.

Mobley said in an interview that Moore "is a true leader who will not only go to you and ask you to do something, but will follow up to see it gets done."

But Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said Friday that he would not endorse Moore or Republican Gov. Mark Sanford.

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Metts, a Republican who for several months in 1998 waged an independent campaign against then Republican Gov. David Beasley, said any speculation that he would endorse Moore did not come from him.

Although Metts, the longest-serving elected Republican in the state, said he would not publicly endorse Sanford, he planned to vote for him and the GOP ticket.

Sanford's campaign countered with the endorsement of five sheriffs, Chuck Wright of Spartanburg County, Jason Booth of Saluda, Al Cannon Jr. of Charleston, Ray Nash of Dorchester and Bruce Bryant of York.

Also Friday, Sanford held hearings on public safety agency budget requests for 2007-08.

Mobley said he is voting for Moore because the senator has a long-standing record of support for public safety officers "and will work across party lines to get things done."

But Sanford, Mobley said, has "consistently voted against legislation to increase and support funding for public safety officers and other programs to strengthen homeland security.

Mobley cited Sanford vetoes of bills to erect the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, strengthen background checks for prospective teachers, provide state funding to maintain South Carolina's non-federal highways, and increase fines for violating the child restraint law.

York's Bryant said Sanford's decision to veto the fallen officers' memorial was sound.

"Mark had a decision to make -- build a memorial, or put more patrolmen on the road to protect against more names getting added to that memorial."

The veto was overridden by the Legislature.

Jason Miller, Sanford's campaign manager, said the governor in his last two executive budgets has requested 420 more law enforcement officers, including 200 Highway Patrol troopers, and State Law Enforcement Division officers to focus on methamphetamine enforcement.

His budget requests included an additional $24.4 million to cover recurring law enforcement expenses and $40.5 million for capital expenditures, Miller said.

Moore told the group that "public safety is a top priority" and said he would create and support legislation that will support the courageous men and women who put their lives on the line every day," according to a campaign press release.

He said in an interview that he offered no specific initiatives during the session.