By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Deputy Sarah Merriman was presented the American Legion (S.C. Dept.) Award for Bravery during ceremonies at the Columbia Marriot, Fri., May 28. The award reads: “For outstanding courage and bravery above and beyond the call of duty.” Merriman was similarlyContinue Reading
Richland County deputies, Columbia Police officers, and Columbia firefighters compete for most blood donor votes in the annual drive By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), the Columbia Police Department (CPD), and the Columbia Fire Department (CFD) are partnering with the American Red Cross once againContinue Reading
Children now safe – Deputies arrest suspect as he flees on foot By W. Thomas Smith Jr. A rifle-armed recruit from Fort Jackson hijacked a school bus with 18 children aboard, Thurs. morning, May 6. The suspect, who has since been arrested (but whose name has yet to be released),Continue Reading
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott (pictured) was honored by the Town of Blythewood at the 11th annual Blythewood Rodeo, Sat., Apr. 24. The Sheriff received a Town Resolution congratulating him for his having been named 2021 SHERIFF OF THE YEAR by the Alexandria, VA-based National Sheriff’s Association (NSA). The resolutionContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Active and retired Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) deputies and others gathered at the RCSD Region 3 headquarters and RCSD training facility – the cafeteria-auditorium of the former Denny Terrace Elementary School – for the 23rd annual RCSD Retirees Luncheon, Mon. Mar. 8. Sheriff LeonContinue Reading
First-of-its-kind partnership between RCSD and the S.C. Department of Mental Health By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced the establishment of a new CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM (CIT), an operational partnership between the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) and the S.C. Dept. of Mental Health (SCDMH), Wed.,Continue Reading
Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. collects two full carloads of gear for distribution By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott met with Irmo High School Head Baseball Coach Bruce White and families of Irmo ballplayers, Sat. Feb. 20, to collect two full carloads of slightly used baseballs, bats,Continue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) in partnership with The Blood Connection (TBC) will host a VALENTINE BLOOD DRIVE, Fri., Feb. 12, from 7:00 a.m. until noon at RCSD’s Region Two headquarters facility, 2500 Decker Blvd. And blood donors will receive a $20 Visa giftcardContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Deputy Sarah Merriman was presented the highest departmental honor – DEPUTY OF THE YEAR 2020 – during RCSD’s annual awards ceremonies, Wed. Jan. 13, 2021: But not before receiving Deputy of the Year for RCSD’s Region Four and the department’sContinue Reading
Hundreds of deputies later re-sworn By W. Thomas Smith Jr. For the seventh consecutive time since 1997, Leon Lott raised his right hand and was re-sworn as sheriff of Richland County, Tues. morning, Jan. 5. The oath of office was administered at the Richland County Courthouse in downtown Columbia byContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith, Jr. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Victims Services Unit received 13 handmade children’s quilts from the Julie Vanderpool Quilters of Northeast Presbyterian Church, at RCSD headquarters, December 18. The quilts will be provided to children who are placed in emergency protective custody. “This is anotherContinue Reading