Larry Payne’s life’s work is reflected in his three decades of service to Richland County By W. Thomas Smith Jr. In January 2018, then-Lieutenant Larry Payne was one of three Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) deputies featured in a national POLICE1 article which examined the department’s unique and first-of-its-kind pre-PTSDContinue Reading
LEXINGTON, S.C. – A Sandhills Middle School cafeteria employee has been charged after allegedly bringing a loaded firearm onto school grounds. Andrea Brooks, 43, faces a charge of carrying a weapon on school property, according to the arrest warrant. “The school resource officer was notified after a district employee toldContinue Reading
Mullikin celebrates law enforcement officers from across South Carolina By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources – and one of 60 of the most influential (impactful) military leaders from S.C. recognized during Veterans Month whosonthemove.com/ – was the keynote speaker forContinue Reading
LEXINGTON, S.C. – A Leesville man is facing charges after narcotics agents discovered cocaine, firearms, and cash in his home, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Vincent Davis, 62, has been charged with trafficking cocaine and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, Sheriff Jay Koon said. Agents,Continue Reading
Photograph becomes “Photo of the Week” in top national publication By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Sheriff Leon Lott (on the far right wearing a pink shirt with sheriff’s stars on his collar) was photographed with a group of Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) senior leaders, investigators, and administrative personnel inContinue Reading
Sheriff Lott honors retired Deputy and Vietnam veteran James L. Taylor Sr. By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Mr. James L. Taylor, Sr., a 92-year-old retired deputy sheriff with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) was presented his retirement credentials, during a special ceremony at the RCSD headquarters, Tuesday, Oct. 21.Continue Reading
Lott says his Richland County Sheriff’s Department has changed the public narrative through new and emerging technologies as well as RCSD’s “peace officer” branding By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott addressed members of the Spring Valley Rotary Club at Columbia’s Northeast Presbyterian Church, Thursday,Continue Reading
First Responders Charity Softball Tournament held at Columbia’s Segra ParkBy W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’sDepartment (RCSD) defeated both the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division(SLED) and the Columbia Police Department (CPD) in a double-elimination softballtournament which raised funds for localContinue Reading
Event Supports Community-Police Relationship-Building Programs Across the Carolinas COLUMBIA, S.C. (Sept. 10, 2025) – Serve & Connect, a South Carolina nonprofit dedicated to strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve, will host its 3rd Annual Serve & Connect Golf Tournament on Monday, Nov. 17 at the WoodlandsContinue Reading
Richland County Deputy among five first-responders to be honored on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) School Resource Officer (SRO) Todd Minemier, one of the longest-serving certified SROs in South Carolina, received EastminsterContinue Reading
A 21-year-old Lexington woman has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal shooting Tuesday night in West Columbia. Lexington County deputies responded to a home in the 2700 block of Leaphart Road following a 911 call about a gunshot wound. Authorities say the victim, identified by Lexington CountyContinue Reading