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
High Five Fridays have become an exciting beginning to the last day of each week By W. Thomas Smith Jr. For years (during the schoolyear) one of the most enthusiastically anticipated end-of-week interactions between schoolkids and deputies has been HIGH FIVE FRIDAYS (H5F), a Friday morning period when deputies meetContinue 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
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
Inspired by a century-old Texas Rangers’ prayer, W. Thomas Smith Jr. crafted a modern invocation for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, reflecting faith, courage and service in 2025 By POLICE1 Staff [A version of this story was published in POLICE1, August 13, 2025] Recently when South Carolina writer W. ThomasContinue Reading
Popular ON PATROL: LIVE star Captain Danny Brown honored during ceremony By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Captain and U.S. Army 1st Sergeant Danny R. Brown Jr. was heralded as “a great leader and a true professional” by U.S. Army Brigadier General Jed J. Schaertl duringContinue Reading
Event will precede the annual NNO nationwide event to be held next month By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) is inviting broad public participation to the first-ever NATIONAL NIGHT OUT kick-off, a multi-activities weekend event connecting-with, bringing together and celebrating the various communities across RichlandContinue Reading
MUSC Health is teaming up with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to help save lives. On July 9, the health system donated 14 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) during a press conference held at MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown. These AEDs will be placed in patrol cars throughout Richland County,Continue Reading
Sixth annual expedition winding its way through the Midlands this week By W. Thomas Smith Jr. A hand-picked team from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) joined Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Michelle McCollum, president of the S.C. National Heritage Corridor, and otherContinue Reading