2026 LAW ENFORCEMENT HALL OF FAME
Two SCFOP nominees recognized for distinguished careers that helped shape law enforcement in South Carolina.
Former Charleston County Sheriff James Alton “Al” Cannon, Jr. and the late Chief Roger Earl Poston were inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, recognizing two distinguished careers that helped shape law enforcement across the state.
Both men were nominated by the South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police (SCFOP) for Meritorious Service, an honor recognizing sustained professional excellence and outstanding contributions to South Carolina law enforcement.
The ceremony, held at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, recognized 13 individuals whose careers collectively represent generations of dedicated public service.
SCFOP President John Blackmon presented Sheriff Cannon with his induction award. Cannon was joined by his wife, Wallis, and their children, Sara Cannon and Al Cannon III. Chief Poston, who passed away in 2016, was inducted posthumously. North Charleston Police Chief Scott Perry accepted the award on behalf of Poston’s family, who were unable to attend.
Sheriff Al Cannon: Transforming Charleston County Law Enforcement
When Al Cannon became Sheriff of Charleston County in February 1988, the county operated two separate law enforcement organizations with distinct responsibilities. Three years later, he accomplished what would become one of the defining achievements of his career: consolidating the Charleston County Police Department and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
The merger, completed January 1, 1991, brought county law enforcement operations under unified leadership and fundamentally changed how policing services were organized and delivered throughout Charleston County.
It was a significant undertaking that reflected Cannon’s willingness to challenge established structures and pursue organizational change.
That achievement became part of a much larger legacy.
Cannon began his law enforcement career in 1971 as a patrol officer with the Charleston County Police Department. He joined the North Charleston Police Department in 1973, advanced through the ranks, and was appointed Chief of Police in 1984.
Elected Charleston County Sheriff in 1988, he served until January 2021, becoming the longest-serving sheriff in the county’s history.
During those 33 years, Cannon oversaw the development of one of South Carolina’s largest law enforcement agencies. His administration expanded specialized capabilities in aviation, harbor patrol, K-9 operations, tactical response, underwater recovery, school resource officers, ballistic identification, and cybercrime investigations.
These capabilities strengthened the Sheriff’s Office while providing valuable resources to neighboring jurisdictions. Through equipment, specialized personnel, and cooperative operations, Cannon promoted an approach to public safety that recognized the importance of agencies working together.
His leadership extended statewide. As President of the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association from 2003 to 2004, Cannon contributed to the organization’s work representing sheriffs and advancing the interests of law enforcement throughout South Carolina.
His professional accomplishments were complemented by a distinguished military career. Following four years of active-duty service in the United States Air Force as a Russian linguist, Cannon served nearly three decades in the Air Force Reserve with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
He retired in 2006 as a Colonel after holding significant responsibilities involving criminal investigations, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and national security operations.
Cannon also brought extensive legal and academic credentials to his leadership. He earned degrees from the College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina, including a Juris Doctor, and graduated from the FBI National Academy.
His distinguished service earned numerous honors, including the Order of the Palmetto, an honorary Doctor of Public Administration from The Citadel, and the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Tri-County FOP Lodge #3.
For more than three decades as sheriff, Cannon influenced the organization, capabilities, and direction of law enforcement in Charleston County. His Hall of Fame induction recognizes a career whose impact extended well beyond the agency he commanded.
Chief Roger Poston: Leadership Across South Carolina
Few law enforcement careers reflect the breadth of service demonstrated by Chief Roger Earl Poston.
Over more than three decades, Poston served communities across South Carolina as a police officer, supervisor, police chief, state law enforcement administrator, and director of public safety. His career included leadership of four municipal police departments and service in state government.
After serving in the United States Army Military Police, Poston began his civilian law enforcement career with the Florence Police Department in 1951, advancing to the rank of lieutenant.
In 1965, he was appointed Chief of Police in Beaufort. The following year, he became Chief of Police in Orangeburg, serving until 1969.
His experience subsequently led him to state government, where he served as Assistant Director of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program in the Office of the Governor.
In 1973, Poston received an assignment that would establish an important part of his professional legacy. He was selected as the first Chief of Police for the newly formed City of North Charleston.
As the city’s inaugural police chief, Poston provided leadership during the establishment of a municipal police department responsible for serving a growing community. His appointment placed him at the beginning of an agency whose history and development remain closely connected to North Charleston’s growth.
In 1974, Poston returned to Florence, where he served as Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety until retiring in 1983.
His influence extended beyond the departments he commanded. A graduate of the Southern Police Institute and FBI National Academy, Poston also served as President of the North Carolina/South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association, reflecting his involvement in professional leadership and cooperation across state lines.
What distinguished Poston’s career was the range of responsibilities entrusted to him. From established departments to a newly formed municipality, his experience was sought by communities facing different public safety and organizational needs.
Poston died on March 18, 2016, at the age of 87.
His posthumous induction recognizes more than three decades of service and preserves the contributions of a law enforcement leader whose career touched multiple communities throughout South Carolina.
North Charleston Police Chief Scott Perry’s acceptance of the award on behalf of Poston’s family provided a meaningful connection between the department’s first chief and its current leadership.
Recognizing Excellence in the Profession
The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police’s nominations of Cannon and Poston reflect the organization’s commitment to recognizing individuals whose service strengthened law enforcement and whose accomplishments deserve a permanent place in South Carolina’s history.
Recognizing excellence in our profession is about more than honoring a distinguished career. It is about preserving the contributions of those whose leadership and dedication helped shape the law enforcement agencies we serve in today. Sheriff Cannon and Chief Poston devoted their professional lives to public service, and their induction ensures that their accomplishments will be remembered by future generations of South Carolina law enforcement officers.
John Blackmon, President
South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police
Although their careers followed different paths, both men demonstrated sustained professional leadership and a commitment to improving the agencies and communities they served.
Thirteen Officers Recognized for Meritorious Service
The October 28 ceremony honored 13 individuals representing law enforcement agencies throughout South Carolina.
In addition to Sheriff Cannon and Chief Poston, the following officers were inducted:
- Sheriff Johnny Mack Brown, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office
- Chief Lyle J. “L.J.” Campbell, Columbia Police Department
- Captain Albert F. Corbin, South Carolina Highway Patrol
- Sheriff Louis L. “Hector” DeBruhl, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office
- Lieutenant Lansing P. “Pete” Logan, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
- Staff Sergeant Lee M. “Skeet” Mills, Jr., South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
- Staff Sergeant Francis L. Mitchum, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
- Chief Robin E. Morse, Laurens and Clinton Police Departments
- Major Steven A. Smith, Sr., South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
- Warden Edsel T. Taylor, South Carolina Department of Corrections
- Captain Russell J. Wilson, South Carolina Highway Patrol
The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police congratulates each inductee and their families on this distinguished recognition.
Sheriff Cannon and Chief Poston served South Carolina during different periods and in different capacities, but their careers share a lasting significance. Cannon helped transform the organization and capabilities of county law enforcement, while Poston provided leadership to municipal departments across the state, including one in its earliest days.
Their induction into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame preserves those contributions as part of the state’s law enforcement history and recognizes the professional standards they helped establish.
Additional information about the 2026 inductees is available through the South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s official announcement.
