Richland County Sheriff’s Department lead agency in drill By W. Thomas Smith Jr. A multi-agency drill led by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RSCD) and simulating an active shooter scenario with mass casualties was conducted on the campus of Columbia International University, Tuesday, Dec. 14. Utilizing the nationally standardized IncidentContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. As if being named National Sheriff of the Year 2021 and S.C. Sheriff of the Year 2021 were not enough, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott has earned a new title: The S.C. State Fair’s Boiled Peanut Eating Champion 2021. “This was the second annual boiledContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. United States Senator Tim Scott, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, praised Project H.O.P.E., a program of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), as a model for elderly outreach and assistance which might be implemented by other agencies, nationwide. Scott’s remarksContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Two Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) deputies received Eastminster Presbyterian Church’s Servant Leadership award during ceremonies which also awarded members of the Columbia Police Department, the Forest Acres Police Department, and the Richland County Emergency Medical Services, Sun., Sept. 12. Like all of the recipients,Continue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Last week, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Major Maria Yturria, and yours truly received signed coffee mugs from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The NYPD mugs were a token of thanks to RCSD, and they were presented inContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Runners participating in GUARDIANS OF THE NIGHT 2021, a 5K road race in support of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s (RCSD) K9 teams (dogs and handlers), turned out in record numbers, Sat. evening, July 31. Approximately 550 runners of all skill levels and walkers, manyContinue Reading
The story of RCSD Corporal Ryan MacAdams By W. Thomas Smith Jr. IT’S BEEN SAID THAT DYNAMITE COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES. And it does. Then there is a tiny chip of uranium: Dangerous if mishandled, yet capable of lighting entire cities and more. Perhaps it is that chip of uraniumContinue Reading
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