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COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has announced that Col. Ralph Mobley, commander of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, has decided to retire as part of the Department of Public Safety’s retirement incentive program, which is being offered to nearly 300 employees as a result of state budget cuts.

Mike Kelley, who has served as lieutenant colonel since May 2000, has been named Colonel to lead the 978-member Patrol. He has been with the Highway Patrol since 1973. In 1994, he was promoted to lieutenant overseeing the Patrol Supply unit. He was promoted to captain in 1999 overseeing the Support Services Section.

Mobley, who was named commander of the South Carolina Highway Patrol in September 1999, has been with the Highway Patrol since 1977. He served as captain of District 1 in Richland County from 1995 until July 1999 when he was promoted to major of the upper state field enforcement division.

"Col. Mobley is not only a personal friend," DPS Director B. Boykin Rose said Friday, "he has demonstrated a love and commitment to the Highway Patrol that is unsurpassed."

"His decision to retire at this juncture serves as an example to not only those in the Patrol, but others at our agency who are in similar positions to take advantage of this retirement program," Rose added. "Col. Mobley is to be commended for his leadership."

About 70 DPS employees have taken advantage of the early retirement incentive program offered to employees by DPS in April.

"Anyone who knows me, knows of my love for the Patrol," said Mobley, whose father, Sgt. R.A. Mobley, a 21-year Patrol veteran was killed in the line of duty in 1979. "This decision was not an easy one to make. It is one I struggled with in recent weeks, but I believe it is not only the right decision for me, but also for the Patrol," Mobley said.

Col. Ralph L. Mobley
Commanding Officer, South Carolina Highway Patrol

September 1999-June 2001

Date of Birth:

April 17, 1956

Hometown:

Florence, SC

Education:

Graduate of West Florence High School

Professional Experience/Promotion History:

June 1987: Corporal, Richland County
December 1989: Sergeant, Governor’s RAID Team
June 1991: First Sergeant, Richland County
July 1994: Lieutenant, District One
March 1995: Captain, District One
July 1999: Major (Upstate region), Headquarters
March 2000: Colonel

Additional education:

Certified Weapons Training, SWAT, Fort Bragg, NC
Executive Protection, Washington, D.C.
Harvard School of Government Strategic Management Program
Executive Institute, South Carolina State Government

Personal:

Two children: Christie (daughter) and R.A. (son)

Northside Baptist Church, West Columbia, SC

South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association

Masonic Lodge #29

International Association of Chiefs of Police

South Carolina Troopers Association

Col. Michael W. Kelley
Commanding Officer, South Carolina Highway Patrol

Date of Birth:

September 20, 1953

Hometown:

Travelers Rest, SC

Education:

Graduate of Travelers Rest High School

Attended North Greenville Junior College

Graduate of the University of South Carolina with an associate’s degree in criminal justice

Professional Experience/Promotion History:

December 1973: Telecommunications Operator, Columbia
September 1974: Patrol School
November 1974: Assigned to Richland County
March 1978: Telecommunications Operator, Columbia
February 1979: Assigned to Sumter County
November 1988: Promoted to Corporal, Columbia Headquarters
June 1989: Promoted to Sergeant
July 1994: Promoted to Lieutenant
July 1999: Promoted to Captain
May 2000: Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
June 2001: Promoted to Colonel

Personal:

Wife: Bonnie

Two sons: Michael and Ryan

Currently residing in West Columbia

Member of Trinity Baptist Church, Cayce, SC

Member of IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police) and APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials