Latest news with #SpartanburgCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
SC first responder community mourns multiple losses in one week
(WSPA) South Carolina's first responder community is mourning after a week marked by the loss of multiple heroes in the law enforcement and fire services. In separate incidents, several current and retired members of fire departments and law enforcement agencies died. A trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol died nearly four days after being struck by a vehicle on I-26 during a traffic stop. Trooper First Class Dennis Ricks died Wednesday night, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. 'A graduate of SCHP Class 123 in September 2023, Ricks has proudly served in Troop 7 (Orangeburg, Calhoun) since then,' according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. 'This is a devastating loss for his family, for those who worked alongside him in Troop Seven and the entire Highway Patrol and DPS family. Our deepest condolences go to his wife and family as they navigate this immense loss.' Ricks was conducting a traffic stop on I-26 at mile marker 166 when he was struck by a box truck around 2 a.m. Sunday, August 9. Authorities said he suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. According to a social post from his wife, he suffered a severe brain injury, bleeding, swelling, kidney bleeding, and several broken bones. His wife, Jade Riley Ricks, described him as 'the kindest, sweetest, most gentle soul.' 'Of all people, my Dennis didn't deserve this… To say he is a phenomenal man and husband is quite an understatement,' she added. Ricks' funeral will be held on Tuesday, August 19, in Columbia, according to SCDPS. A captain with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office was identified as the victim in a head-on collision Thursday night. The Oconee County Coroner's Office announced Friday morning that Captain Steven Henderson, of Spartanburg, died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash reported in Walhalla. The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office said Henderson served for over 19 years in various roles throughout the agency. Before beginning his career in law enforcement, Henderson served in the United States Air Force from 1994 to 1998. Henderson also spent a significant time working with the Sheriff's Office K-9 unit and served as an operator on the SWAT team. He received numerous awards and commendations, including the Medal of Valor, multiple Deputy of the Quarter awards, and K-9 Handler of the Year for five consecutive years. 'Steven wasn't just a decorated law enforcement officer—he was a husband, a Pop, a best friend, and a hero to all who knew him,' a friend of Henderson wrote on a fundraiser page. The fire service community also experienced profound losses this week. On Tuesday, the Mauldin Fire Department announced the death of retired Captain Phillip Brown. A Travelers Rest native, Captain Brown served Mauldin for 30 years, beginning in December of 1986 and retiring in 2016. 'We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, especially his wife Barbara and his daughter Christina, as well as to his brothers and sisters in the fire service who mourn this tremendous loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you,' the department wrote in a social media post. Brown's funeral will be held on Sunday, August 17, at 1 p.m. at Shady Oak Baptist Church in Greenville. The procession will follow to Graceland East Memorial Park in Simpsonville. Escorted by the Mauldin Police Department, the city said to expect a large fire department presence along the route, which will follow: West Butler Rd to East Butler Rd East Butler Rd to Bridges Rd Bridges Rd to Bethel Rd Bethel Rd to Route 14 'Selfless and community-oriented, Captain Brown was not just a devoted public servant but an incredible individual whose joy, faith, and wisdom defined every interaction he had and positively impacted all who knew him,' a spokesperson from the City of Mauldin said. The community is mourning the loss of a fire chief who spent more than four decades serving. Chief Mark Holbrook spent 44 years with the Gantt District Fire Department. 'Chief Holbrook's leadership oversaw tremendous growth and progress within our department. His unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our citizens and firefighters has left a legacy that will be felt for generations,' the department said in a post. He was described as a man of great character, who held himself and others to the highest moral standards. 'Chief Holbrook's impact on Gantt District and the fire service will never be forgotten,' the department wrote. The department also shared the passing of retired Lieutenant James 'Andy' Brown this week. Brown served the community for nearly 17 years and previously volunteered in Oconee County. 'Lt. Brown will be remembered for his dedication, selflessness, and the countless lives he touched through his service,' the department wrote. 'His contributions to the fire service and the communities he served will leave a lasting mark.' These men, through decades of dedication, compassion, and sacrifice, exemplified what it means to serve. Their legacies live on in the lives they protected, the colleagues they inspired, and the communities they forever changed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Candidates for Spartanburg County Sheriff: Meet Adam Crisp
Nine candidates are running for the Republican nomination for Spartanburg County Sheriff. The GOP primary is scheduled for Aug. 5, though early voting is underway. The special election to replace former Sheriff Chuck Wright will take place on Nov. 4. In an effort to help readers know more about the candidates and their stances on key issues facing the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the Herald-Journal sent four questions to each candidate – one tailored to his individual experience and three that are identical. Some answers have been edited lightly for length or clarification. Adam Crisp Age: 39 Occupation: Chief Operating Officer for Signal SecurityEducation: Bachelor of criminology, University of South CarolinaFamily: Married with five daughters You have served as deputy with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office and as a member of the Lyman Town Council. How would these combined experiences inform your perspective on the sheriff's relationship with Spartanburg County Council and other stakeholders? My combined experience as a deputy with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office and as a member of the Lyman Town Council gives me a unique and well-rounded perspective on how to strengthen the relationship between the sheriff's office and Spartanburg County Council. As a former deputy, I understand the needs, challenges, and realities faced by law enforcement officers. I've responded to calls and experienced the demands of the job. That gives me credibility when advocating for resources, training, and support for our deputies. Serving on Lyman Town Council—now as chairman of the Public Safety Committee—has given me critical experience in governance, budgeting, and public accountability. I've worked with elected officials, city departments, and community members to pass policy, allocate funds, and drive public safety initiatives. These experiences position me to serve as a bridge. I know how to speak the language of both law enforcement and elected leadership. Based on your understanding of the situation in the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office currently, what would you do in your first month (or week or six months or year…) to improve morale among deputies and staff members? The first week or month will be about visibility and accountability and about building back the trust lost. I will: Conduct confidential, department-wide surveys and listening sessions to give every deputy and staff member a voice. I want to know what's working, what's not, and what support they truly need. Be visible and accessible—not sitting behind a desk. I'll visit every shift, ride along with patrols, and spend time in dispatch and detention to demonstrate that leadership is present, engaged, and listening. Immediately address any toxic practices that have created division, favoritism, or mistrust in the ranks. The subject of pay for deputies has been a focus of discussion in this race. Salaries vary from county to county and among various municipal police forces. What can be done to keep Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office salaries competitive with those of surrounding departments? I am the chair of the Public Safety Committee on the Lyman Town Council, so I hold the purse strings for our police. I've been able to give a 22 percent raise over the past year-and-a-half. That's more than the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office has had in 15 years. I also have experience working with elected leaders to advocate for the resources needed to pay officers to combat crime. I've also seen the importance of clear communication, collaboration, and transparency between public safety leaders and elected bodies. It's a relationship-building process. As sheriff, I will foster a proactive, collaborative relationship with Spartanburg County Council by ensuring transparency in budgeting, strategic planning, and policy decisions. Since President Trump took office in January, there has been considerable discussion about immigration enforcement. ICE is set to receive a substantial increase in funding following the recent budget legislation that was signed into law. Candidates for Spartanburg County Sheriff have expressed support for ICE's efforts to target illegal immigrants. At the same time, some residents are worried about the potential presence of masked ICE officers using heavy-handed tactics in our community. Others are anxious about the possibility of ICE mistakenly detaining legal immigrants, naturalized citizens – or even U.S.-born citizens. How would you balance support for the federal crackdown on illegal immigration while protecting the rights of individuals and communities in Spartanburg County? ICE works in partnership with local jurisdictions. They can't just come in and do whatever they want. We're going to uphold the law, and we will cooperate with 287(g), the program that allows local law enforcement to partner with ICE on immigration enforcement. But we will treat people with dignity and respect. If we see things that are not constitutional, we will exercise the means to put a stop to that. This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg County Sheriff candidate answers questions about the job Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's who has filed to run for Spartanburg County Sheriff: List
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — The filing period for the special election to fill the seat of Spartanburg County Sheriff opened Friday. Five candidates have filed paperwork with South Carolina Election Commission, all of whom have filed as Republicans in the August 5 primary. Sheriff salaries in the Upstate: Where does your county rank? Candidates running in the special election had to pay a filing fee of about $3,000, which is prorated because of the partial term. Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order. In his letter announcing his bid for the seat of sheriff, Clark said he wants to help citizens, residents and visitors throughout Spartanburg County. Clark started his career with the Spartanburg Police Department in March 2002, serving as a senior patrol officer and a field patrol officer. In October 2005, Clark began working with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, working as a property crimes investigator, a software systems administrator and records supervisor. 'I have the experience and knowledge to lead the sheriff's office and continue its mission to provide services to citizens that meet or exceed professional law enforcement standards, ensuring equal enforcement, and protection of the law without prejudice,' Clark said. Clevenger, who has served as coroner since 2009, announced his candidacy for Spartanburg County Sheriff on Monday. 'I have dedicated my adult life to serving the people of Spartanburg County with transparency, compassion, and professionalism.' said Clevenger in a news release. 'The brave men and women of the Spartanburg Sheriff's Office deserve a leader who protects their integrity and shields them from politics so they can focus on protecting our community.' Clevenger said his campaign for sheriff will focus on restoring trust in law enforcement, increasing transparency, supporting deputies and ensuring public safety is 'free from political agendas.' Nick Duncan, a Laurens County native, worked as a paramedic with Spartanburg County EMS before he joined the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office in 2014. He announced a run for sheriff in March 2024, but lost the primary election in June. Duncan previously said that, if elected, he would focus on drug issues impacting the county as well as working on community relations and transparency in the office. Duncan encouraged voters to decide what they want from their elected leaders. 'Just look at everybody, figure out what you want from your elected officials, and what beliefs most align with yours and make a good, educated decision.' Duncan said. Bill Rhyne announced his bid for the seat of sheriff on June 3. A northern Spartanburg County native, Rhyne joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Chapman High School. He worked for the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office as a resident deputy and then for the South Carolina Highway Patrol in the Upstate as a public information officer and community relations officer. Rhyne retired as lieutenant and executive commander. After retirement, he became the director of training for American Services. He also was able to return to SCHP as a community outreach coordinator. 'This campaign isn't about politics. It's about people,' Rhyne said. 'It's about making sure our communities are safe, heard, and respected. It's about being present, well-reasoned in our actions, and building a sheriff's office that truly serves every corner of Spartanburg County.' Richard 'Ric' Stephens served in the Army National Guard from 1982-1992, according to his website. Later, Stephens worked for the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office from 1996-2002 in various positions. He retired from work in law enforcement in 2015. 'In doing this, I learned the complexity of the sheriff's office and how extremely important it is for you as an employee to understand and use all the county resources allocated,' Stephens said. In an interview with 7NEWS, Stephens explained that his bid for sheriff is personal, after losing a family member was killed by a drug dealer in Spartanburg County. 'The sheriff's office has a dedicated professional workforce, with my leadership we will focus on issues that affect the taxpayers the most (traffic, drugs, and crime) I will give immediate results,' he added. The primary will be held on August 5 while the special election is set to be held on November 4, which is the date of the 2025 general election. Early voting for the primary will be held from July 21 through August 1 while early voting for the special election will run from October 20 through October 31. A primary runoff would be held on August 19, if necessary, with early voting from August 13 to August 15. Full schedule for special election: June 13 – Candidate filing opens June 21 – Candidate filing closes July 21 – Early primary voting begins August 1 – Early primary voting ends August 5 – Primary election August 13 – Primary runoff early voting begins (if necessary) August 15 – Primary runoff early voting ends (if necessary) August 19 – Primary runoff election October 20 – Special election early voting begins October 31 – Special election early voting ends November 4 – Special Election Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Spartanburg County Sheriff's race up to five candidates
A fifth candidate has announced his plan to run for Spartanburg County Sheriff. Bill Rhyne is a former United States Marine who went on to serve as a deputy in the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office. He later worked for the South Carolina Highway Patrol. In an announcement on social media, Rhyne said, 'This campaign isn't about politics: it's about making sure our communities are safe, heard, and respected. It's about being present, well-reasoned in our actions, and building a Sheriff's Office that serves every corner of Spartanburg County.' Filing for the special election to replace former Sheriff Chuck Wright, who resigned in May, will be from June 13 to June 21. Rhyne joins four others who have declared their plans to run: Nick Duncan, who served for almost 10 years in the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office before taking on Wright in the 2024 Republican primary. Randy Hollifield, who served in the Army before going into law enforcement in 1982 as a member of the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office. Andy Clark, a former member of the City of Spartanburg police department who retired from the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office. Joseph Hawes, police chief of Pacolet and a former staff member at the United States Department of Defense. More: 'It's so disappointing:' Spartanburg County residents react to Chuck Wright's resignation There will be a primary election on Aug. 5. A runoff will take place on Aug. 19, if needed, according to John Baucom, director of Spartanburg County Voter Registration and Elections. The special election is set for Nov. 4. This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: A fifth candidate for Spartanburg County Sheriff emerges
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
TBI: Missing South Carolina woman last seen in Sullivan Co. found safe
UPDATE: The TBI said Fisher was located safe in Virginia. SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said Tuesday it is assisting the Spartanburg County, South Carolina Sheriff's Office with finding a missing woman who may be in the Tri-Cities area. A social media post by the TBI said Betty Fisher, 91, was reported missing Monday after leaving her home at 10 a.m. that day. A Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office release posted by the TBI said her son told police she has not called or made contact since. The TBI said Fisher was driving a dark grey 2025 Toyota RAV4 with SC tag 734BXU, and the vehicle was last seen in Sullivan County earlier Tuesday. The release said that although it hasn't been diagnosed, Fisher is believed to have early-onset dementia. The release said she takes daily medication that is necessary for her health. The release said Fisher is a white female with green eyes and white hair. She is 5'7″ tall and weighs 152 lbs. Anyone who may see Fisher or her vehicle is urged to call the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office at (864) 503-4670. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
