Rock Hill Police Chief William S. Rhodes Inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame honored six distinguished officers for meritorious service to the state and its citizens. The inductees included Chief William S. Rhodes, Rock Hill Police Department; Sheriff Harold McElveen, Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office; Chief James G. Clyburn, Kingstree Police Department; Chief Robert W. Johnson, Greenwood Police Department; Chief Thomas W. Dantzler, Orangeburg Police Department; and Chief James C. Thompson, Marion Police Department. Each was recognized for a career defined by leadership, integrity, and commitment to the rule of law.

Among these respected leaders, the late Chief William S. Rhodes (d. March 14, 1977) stands as a model of quiet professionalism and enduring influence. The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police was honored to submit his nomination for induction, ensuring that his service to the Rock Hill Police Department and to the people of South Carolina will be remembered for generations to come.

Chief Rhodes began his law enforcement career in 1936 and went on to serve the Rock Hill community for three decades. In 1954, he was appointed Chief of Police, a role he held until his retirement in 1966. Over this span of thirty years, he guided the department through both routine challenges and times of dramatic change, leaving behind a legacy of stability, professionalism, and forward-thinking leadership. His tenure as Chief was marked not only by steady command but also by his ability to modernize investigative work and strengthen the culture of the agency.

The nomination for his induction highlights his remarkable attention to investigative standards, including early adoption of forensic methods. Records describe him personally conducting ballistic comparisons and setting higher expectations for casework accuracy. These practices influenced the professional culture of his department. His leadership extended beyond the day-to-day, establishing training and accountability measures that outlived his tenure. Officers under his guidance carried those lessons forward, extending his impact well beyond his years in office.

Chief Rhodes’ career embodied the very qualities the Hall of Fame’s Meritorious Service category was created to recognize. His contributions raised the standards of law enforcement statewide, and his influence left an indelible mark on the agency he served. His induction places him among South Carolina’s most accomplished law enforcement leaders, a place he earned through sustained excellence and a lifetime of service.

“Chief Rhodes embodied quiet professionalism, strong leadership, and fidelity to the mission of protecting the people of South Carolina,” said John Blackmon, President of the South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police. “We were proud to submit his nomination to the Hall of Fame. His example reminds every officer that courage is measured not only in critical moments, but in a lifetime of diligent, ethical service.”

The honor bestowed today also reflects on his family and the Rock Hill Police Department, whose officers continue to serve under the high standards he helped establish. His induction is not only a recognition of past service but also a call to current and future officers to lead with integrity and purpose.

The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police extends our congratulations to the Rhodes family and to the Rock Hill Police Department, as well as to the families and agencies of Sheriff Harold McElveen, Chief James G. Clyburn, Chief Robert W. Johnson, Chief Thomas W. Dantzler, and Chief James C. Thompson. Each inductee represents the very best of South Carolina law enforcement.

Chief William S. Rhodes is remembered for what matters most. He built a professional, capable department, embraced evolving investigative practices, and set expectations for conduct and leadership that endure. His name now stands in the Hall of Fame as a permanent reminder that the highest calling of law enforcement is faithful service to community and state.