2014 Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement

United States Attorney Bill Nettles’ Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee recently hosted the annual Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement Luncheon at the Fort Jackson Officers’ Club. The awards luncheon was attended by state, local and federal law enforcement officials from across the state. The following South Carolina law enforcement officers received the 2013 awards: City – Director Charles Barranco of the Aiken Department of Public Safety; County – Captain Joey Woodward Jr. of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office; State – Senior Special Agent Jack Rushing III; Federal – Special Agent Brian Jones of the FBI. The Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement were established by Senator Strom Thurmond in 1983 to recognize law enforcement officers whose performances demonstrate the highest ideals of excellence in professional law enforcement. An awards committee composed of representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Strom Thurmond Foundation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with a police chief and sheriff who have received the award selected the recipients from nominations received from across the state. United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated, “It is indeed an honor to recognize these four officers. Each officer exemplifies the best in law enforcement. Their tremendous personal sacrifice and commitment to just law enforcement in this state has a direct impact on the quality of life in our communities.”