South Carolina Highway Patrol

Last updated
South Carolina Highway Patrol
South Carolina Highway Patrol.jpg
Patch of South Carolina Highway Patrol
AbbreviationSCHP
MottoCourtesy-Efficiency-Service
Agency overview
Formed1930;95 years ago (1930)
Employees1100+ (as of 2008)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionSouth Carolina, USA
SC - Highway Patrol Troop map.png
SCHP Troop Map
Size32,020 square miles (82,900 km2)
Population5,118,425 [1]
Legal jurisdictionStatewide
Governing body South Carolina Department of Public Safety
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters Blythewood, South Carolina
Troopers955 (as of 2008) [2]
Civilian members180 (as of 2004) [3]
Agency executive
  • Colonel Christopher N. Williamson, Commander
Parent agencySouth Carolina Department of Public Safety
Special UnitsACE/Motorcycle/K9
MAIT
CERT
Insurance Enforcement
Facilities
Troops7
Website
Official website OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) is the highway patrol agency for South Carolina, which has jurisdiction anywhere in the state except for federal or military installations. The Highway Patrol was created in 1930 and is an organization with a rank structure similar to the armed forces. [4] The mission of the South Carolina Highway Patrol includes enforcing the rules and regulations in order to ensure road way safety and reducing crime as outlined by South Carolina law. The Highway Patrol is the largest division of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and its headquarters is located in Blythewood. This department also includes the South Carolina State Transport Police Division, and the South Carolina Bureau of Protective Services.

Contents

The Highway Patrol has many responsibilities. The primary job of the rank-and-file trooper is traffic law enforcement. This includes traffic collision investigation, issuing warning tickets and citations for traffic violations, and finding, arresting, and processing impaired drivers. A state trooper is a sworn peace officer, and although their primary duty is traffic enforcement, they can perform other law enforcement functions.

History

On February 8, 1968, SCHP officers fired on anti-segregation protesters on the campus of the South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. Three were killed and 28 others were injured. This event came to be called the Orangeburg massacre. [5] [6]

Patrol structure

SCHP Commander

Highway Patrol duties

Marked SCHP patrol vehicles are usually silver with two blue lines on either side. Flashing lights are typically all blue. 170927-Z-VD276-013 South Carolina Highway Patrol personnel perform Precision Immobilization Technique Training at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C..jpg
Marked SCHP patrol vehicles are usually silver with two blue lines on either side. Flashing lights are typically all blue.
SCHP trooper with national guardsmen. South Carolina National Guard (30076578221).jpg
SCHP trooper with national guardsmen.

The agency has specific jurisdiction over all South Carolina state highways, U.S. Highways, Interstate highways in the state and all public roads. Local city police or the counties sheriff's department having a contract with an incorporated city have responsibility to investigate and enforce traffic laws in incorporated cities. However, the SCHP can still enforce traffic laws on any public road anywhere in the state regardless if it is in an incorporated or unincorporated city. SCHP has authority over any incident that would require a Trooper's response.

SCHP troopers are responsible for investigating and disposing of car accidents, debris, dead animals and other impediments to the free flow of traffic. They are often the first government officials at the scene of an accident (or obstruction), and in turn summon EMS/Fire (although, their dispatch often does this long before they are on scene), tow truck drivers or SCDOT personnel. The SCHP files traffic collision reports for state highways and within unincorporated areas. The patrol has around 800 employees, of whom 650 are sworn Troopers, and 150 civilians.

Also see Section 1. Chapter 11 of Title 6 of the 1976 Code. This law provides extra information as to what entity has jurisdiction on emergency incidents. https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/title6.php

Specialized units

Rank structure

The SCHP uses a paramilitary rank structure. [7] [8]

InsigniaRank titleInformation
COL O6 insignia shaded.png
ColonelCommander of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
US-O5 insignia.svg
Lieutenant ColonelThere are two Deputy Commanders, overseeing Operations and Administrations
US-O4 insignia.svg
MajorThere are four Majors. overseeing Field Operations
US-O3 insignia.svg
CaptainA Captain commands one of the ten Troops.
First Lieutenant Insignia USMC.png
LieutenantA Lieutenant commands a post or station.
SCHP First Sergeant.png
First SergeantA First Sergeant is the second in command of a post or station.
South Carolina Highway Patrol Sergeant Rank Chevrons.svg
SergeantA Sergeant commands a patrol shift.
South Carolina Highway Patrol Corporal Rank Chevrons.svg
CorporalA Corporal acts as a field supervisor.
SCHP Master Trooper.png
Master TrooperA Master Trooper has served for at least ten years.
SCHP Lance Corporal.png
Lance CorporalA Lance Corporal has served for at least five years.
Senior Trooper.png
Senior TrooperA Senior Trooper has served for at least three years.
SCHP Senior Trooper.jpg
Trooper First ClassA Trooper First Class has served for at least eighteen months.
TrooperThe initial SCHP rank.

Demographics

In the line of duty

Throughout the years of the Patrol, 52 Troopers have died performing their duty. [10] [11]

CategoryNumber
Automobile crash
14
Gunfire
19
Heart attack
1
Motorcycle crash
10
Struck by vehicle
3
Vehicle pursuit
4
Vehicular assault
1

Fallen Troopers

OfficerDate of DeathDetails
TFC Dennis Ricks
August 13, 2025
Struck by vehicle
Trooper Daniel Keith Rebman, Jr.
October 24, 2017
Automobile crash
Corporal D. Kevin Cusack
March 27, 2010
Automobile crash
Lance Corporal Jonathan S. Nash
September 19, 2009
Motorcycle crash
Lance Corporal James D. Haynes
February 1, 2008
Automobile crash
Senior Trooper Jonathan W. Parker
May 16, 2005
Vehicular assault
Corporal Kenneth Jeffery Johnson
July 7, 2002
Gunfire
Senior Trooper Michael Joseph Rao
June 12, 2002
Struck by vehicle
Trooper Eric Francis Nicholson
December 6, 2000
Gunfire
Lance Corporal David Travis Bailey
April 5, 2000
Automobile crash
Lance Corporal Jacob Ham Jr.
February 8, 1998
Heart attack
First Sergeant Frankie Lee Lingard
December 31, 1997
Gunfire
Lance Corporal Randall Scott Hewitt
June 23, 1996
Automobile crash
Lance Corporal Michael Allen Chappell
April 17, 1995
Automobile crash
Trooper Randall Lamar Hester
April 20, 1994
Vehicle pursuit
Lance Corporal Mark Hunter Coates
November 20, 1992
Gunfire
Trooper Hardy Merle Godbold
February 28, 1992
Vehicle pursuit
Trooper David Hunter O'Brien
December 14, 1991
Automobile crash
Trooper Marvin L. Titus
November 12, 1991
Gunfire
Trooper Harry McKinley Coker Jr.
June 21, 1989
Struck by vehicle
TFC George Tillman Radford
October 29, 1988
Gunfire
TFC Robert Paul Perry Jr.
April 15, 1987
Vehicle pursuit
TFC Bruce Kenneth Smalls
September 27, 1985
Gunfire
Corporal John R. Clinton
May 24, 1983
Gunfire
PFC David Lee Alverson
November 13, 1981
Automobile crash
Sergeant Robert Aaron Mobley
July 19, 1979
Gunfire
PFC William Edward Peeples
June 8, 1979
Gunfire
PFC Ben Wesley Strickland III
May 31, 1974
Gunfire
Patrolman Fulton House Anthony
March 10, 1973
Gunfire
Patrolman Roy Odes Caffey
October 8, 1972
Gunfire
Patrolman James Amechie Traylor
December 25, 1970
Gunfire
Patrolman Alfred Alexander Thomason
July 27, 1970
Automobile crash
Corporal Richard Varn Woods
August 19, 1969
Gunfire
Patrolman Marion Charles Steele
September 10, 1966
Gunfire
Patrolman John Ray Riddle
January 15, 1961
Automobile crash
Corporal Henry C. Yonce
May 19, 1959
Automobile crash
Patrolman Harry Boyd Ray
September 7, 1958
Gunfire
Patrolman Arnold R. Carter
June 18, 1956
Vehicle pursuit
Patrolman Albert T. Sealy
October 5, 1950
Automobile crash
Patrolman Norris Nettles
January 4, 1942
Gunfire
Patrolman Joseph P. Monroe
September 28, 1941
Motorcycle crash
Patrolman George Gibbs Broome
May 28, 1941
Automobile crash
Patrolman Harlan M. Smith
September 23, 1940
Motorcycle crash
Patrolman Walter T. Bell
February 4, 1939
Automobile crash
Patrolman L. Lawson Rhodes
July 13, 1938
Motorcycle crash
Patrolman Kenneth Earl McNeill
January 2, 1937
Motorcycle crash
Patrolman Edward M. Hennecy
November 19, 1935
Motorcycle crash
Patrolman Edwin D. Milam
December 25, 1934
Gunfire
Patrolman Hansford McKinley Reeves
February 15, 1934
Motorcycle crash
Patrolman John Davenport Cunningham
June 1, 1933
Motorcycle crash
Patrolman William Pierre Lancaster
June 9, 1932
Motorcycle crash
Patrolman Ralph W. McCracken
October 12, 1931
Motorcycle crash

Special programs

Auxiliary Trooper Program

Fatality Victims Memorial

Child Safety Seatbelt Demonstration

Trooper Public Speaking Program

Vehicles used

The South Carolina Highway Patrol use many different varieties of marked, semi-marked, and unmarked vehicles, like many other law enforcement agencies in South Carolina and the rest of the United States. Most vehicles are a part of fleets, usually late 1990s to as recent as 2010 Ford Crown Victoria or the modified versions of the Crown Vic (as it is commonly called), The Ford Police Interceptor. Also used are 2007 to present Dodge Charger of modified LX and SRT-8 body styles, and starting in 2012, the Ford Taurus and Ford Explorer, and Chevrolet Tahoe. They also used Chevrolet Caprices, Ford Mustang SSP's, and Ford Crown Victorias. [12]

Sidearm

In 2017, the South Carolina Highway Patrol issues the 9mm Glock Model 17M.

Troopers were previously issued the Glock Model 37 .45 GAP and the Glock Model 22 .40 S&W. [13]

The last revolver used was the Smith & Wesson Model 66 .357 magnum which is a derivative of the Smith & Wesson Model 19

See also

References

  1. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  2. "Thirty six new troopers graduate from 87th highway patrol class". 2008-05-21. Archived from the original on 2009-01-18. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  3. USDOJ Bureau of Justice Statistics Census of Law Enforcement Agencies Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "SCDPS.gov Redirect Notice". Afc5102.scdps.gov. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  5. Shuler, Jack (2012). Blood & Bone: Truth and Reconciliation in a Southern Town. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press. p. 21.
  6. "28th Name Added To Massacre List 40 Years Later". Fox Carolina News. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-02-11.
  7. "Highway Patrol Command Staff | SCDPS". scdps.sc.gov. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  8. "Salary & Benefits | SCDPS". scdps.sc.gov. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  9. "Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics, 2000: Data for Individual State and Local Agencies with 100 or More Officers" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2007-06-15. U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics, 2000: Data for Individual State and Local Agencies with 100 or More Officers
  10. "Fallen Troopers Memorial". Archived from the original on 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2019-03-20. SCHP Memorial
  11. "South Carolina Highway Patrol memorial". Archived from the original on 2019-03-18. Retrieved 2019-03-20. The Officer Down Memorial Page
  12. SC Highway Patrol to use mix of cars. Archived 2012-08-27 at the Wayback Machine
  13. "Bridging the .45 GAP". Personaldefenseworld.com. 26 April 2013. Archived from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.