Governor Henry McMaster honored three officers as the 2025 statewide winners in the State, County, and Municipal categories. Each recipient received a $10,000 award as part of the Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award program.
The annual program recognizes law enforcement professionals who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, dedication to duty, community service, valor, and innovation in the profession.
South Carolina is fortunate to have the best law enforcement officers in the country.
Governor Henry McMaster
“South Carolina is fortunate to have the best law enforcement officers in the country. Their work is essential to keeping our communities safe and too often goes unrecognized,” Governor Henry McMaster said. “This ceremony gives us the opportunity to honor the hard work they do every day to serve the people of our state with bravery and integrity.”
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety administers the award program through an advisory committee composed of law enforcement leaders appointed by Governor McMaster. The committee reviews nominations submitted by South Carolina law enforcement associations and selects one overall winner in each category.
The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police is honored to serve as part of the selection process recognizing officers whose service reflects the highest standards of professionalism and commitment to their communities.
Eleven finalists from agencies across South Carolina were selected for recognition during this year’s ceremony.
State Finalists
Lieutenant Jamie Shaw, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
The Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year program continues to recognize the professionalism, service, and leadership demonstrated by officers across South Carolina each day. The finalists and award recipients represent agencies and communities throughout the state and reflect the continued commitment of South Carolina law enforcement to public service and public safety.
Each October, South Carolina turns a little brighter. Patrol cars glow with pink lights, officers pin ribbons to their uniforms, and community events fill with reminders of resilience. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than a campaign. It is a testament to the courage of survivors, the memory of those lost, and the unwavering solidarity of the people who stand beside them, including the men and women who wear the badge.
In North Charleston, one of the department’s patrol cars has been repainted in bold pink, the word Hope stretched across its doors. It is impossible to miss, whether parked at a community event or rolling down the street. For the officers who drive it, that car is not just transportation. It is a promise. Years ago, when one of their own faced breast cancer, fellow officers formed a quiet motorcade to escort her to treatment. The gesture was simple, but it carried a weight that no words could match: we are with you.
That spirit is mirrored across the state. In Charleston, patrol cars have been fitted with pink halo lights, glowing reminders that compassion has a place in law enforcement. Chiefs and officers alike have joined the Real Men Wear Pink campaign, including Chief Walker in 2024, demonstrating that leadership in uniform also means leadership in empathy.
Richland County deputies carry pink badges throughout October, visible symbols of solidarity that go wherever duty calls. In Summerville, Captain Chris Cooper has stepped beyond his everyday responsibilities to join Real Men Wear Pink, raising both funds and awareness. And in Chesterfield County, Sheriff Cambo Streater and his staff wear pink ribbons, small tokens pinned close to their hearts.
These are only a few examples of the many ways law enforcement agencies across South Carolina bring attention to breast cancer during October.
Perhaps the most striking image comes from Easley, where a pink patrol car makes its way through town during community events. At “Ladies Night,” residents line up to sign their names across its surface, survivors, families, and supporters leaving their marks in ink. Each signature is a story. Each story is a reminder that breast cancer touches us all, and that no one should face it in silence.
These acts may seem simple, a painted car, a badge, a ribbon, but together they form a powerful chorus. They show that law enforcement is not separate from the communities it protects. Officers, too, have mothers, sisters, and daughters who have faced the disease. And some officers have fought breast cancer themselves, balancing treatment with service, drawing on the same courage they bring to the badge. Their perseverance reminds us that the uniform does not make them invulnerable, it makes their strength all the more remarkable.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is often symbolized by pink, but its meaning is deeper than color. It is about unity, resilience, and hope. And when South Carolina’s officers join that cause, they reveal the best of what it means to serve, not only to protect communities, but to walk beside them in life’s hardest battles.
On this date in 1926, Deputy Wilson was shot and killed while he and another officer struggled with a man they were attempting to arrest. The man fired a Winchester rifle, striking Deputy Wilson in the throat. Although mortally wounded, Deputy Wilson was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
On this date in 1986, Deputy Sheriffs Taylor and Williamson were killed together in an automobile accident when their patrol car veered off the road, down an embankment, and into a tree.
On this date in 1990, Detective Leppert suffered a fatal heart attack after he had gone to a local supply company to purchase supplies for the crime scene office. He was loading the van when he suffered a heart attack and died at the scene.
Today, we remember Spartanburg County Constable Melton James Shields and North Charleston Police Department Patrolman Robert Anthony Way.
On this date in 1930, Deputized Constable Melton Shields was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man wanted for stealing a pistol.
On this date in 1985, Patrolman Tony Way was shot and killed by a person who was hostile towards the police and sought revenge.
Officer Jonathan Donnelly of the North Charleston Police Department is battling Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease, leaving him unable to work due to medical treatments. His family faces financial strain as they navigate this challenging time. Let’s rally together and offer our support.
You can make a difference by contributing to his GoFundMe campaign: [GoFundMe link]
Your donation will help alleviate their financial burdens and show appreciation for Officer Jonathan Donnelly’s service to our community. Let’s stand together in solidarity during this difficult journey.
In recent weeks, our state has witnessed a disturbing trend of violence against law enforcement officers, and it is with a heavy heart that we address the concerning incidents that have occurred in less than 60 days. North Charleston, in particular, has faced three armed suspects engaging with our officers, marking a critical need for awareness and action.
On February 22, 2024, North Charleston police officers were forced into a vehicle pursuit that tragically ended with a suspect being fatally struck by a police vehicle after exchanging gunfire. This incident follows a series of others, including a fatal shooting involving a campus safety officer in Spartanburg County on January 5, 2024, and a deputy-involved shooting in Greenville on January 27, 2024.
These incidents underscore the gravity of the challenges our law enforcement officers face daily, putting their lives on the line to safeguard our communities. It is disheartening to witness the increasing frequency of these encounters, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to address the root causes of such violence.
The Fraternal Order of Police of South Carolina stands united in condemning these acts of violence against our officers. No one understands the dangers and difficulties faced by our law enforcement better than our fellow officers, and no organization is more dedicated to their well-being than the FOP.
As we mourn the loss of lives and grapple with the escalating dangers faced by our officers, we call upon our legislators, community leaders, and citizens to join us in advocating for change. We must work together to address the underlying issues contributing to these violent encounters and find solutions that ensure the safety and well-being of both our officers and the communities they serve.
The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police remains committed to actively engaging in education, legislation, information dissemination, and community participation. Together, we can make a difference and create a safer environment for law enforcement officers across our great state.
