FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2001

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety today named L/Cpl. Michael Warren Jones as the Highway Patrol’s District Two Trooper of the Year at the agency’s annual Employee Recognition Ceremony.

Jones has been with the Highway Patrol since 1990 assigned to Laurens County. He consistently leads the district each year in the number of traffic arrests. In 2000, Jones made 2,050 traffic arrests through the month of September. He has also been part of the District Two Operation STOP team, a special enforcement initiative.

"L/Cpl. Jones has earned the respect of his community and his fellow troopers," said Highway Patrol Col. Ralph Mobley. "He is a dedicated trooper and a true humanitarian who is an excellent example to his fellow troopers and to the public."

In addition to his work with the Patrol, Jones also donates much of his vacation time to helping the less fortunate. Since 1997, he has made three trips to South America helping rebuild homes and a center that distributes food to the needy. He also worked at a local orphanage delivering supplies for children.

Jones, a Pelion native, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1984 to 1988. He and his wife, Wanda Lynn, have four children: Amber, 12; Joshua, 11; Rachael, 8; and Caleb, 7. The Joneses are members of New Covenant Fellowship Church in Clinton.

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