FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2001
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755
HIGHWAY PATROL PROMOTES THREE TO RANK OF CAPTAIN
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol division today announced that J. R. Jones, B. S. McDonald and M. L. Howard have been promoted to the rank of captain. Jones will serve as District Two captain in Greenwood, McDonald as District Four captain in Chester, and Howard as District Five captain in Florence. The promotions were effective August 21.
As District Two captain, Jones will oversee all Highway Patrol activities throughout Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda Counties. He has been a member of the Highway Patrol since 1978. He was promoted to corporal in 1987, to sergeant in 1994 and to lieutenant in 1998.
A native of Lexington, Jones is a graduate of Lexington High School and attended South Carolina State University. He and his wife Linda currently reside in McCormick County, where he is a member of New Hope Baptist Church. Jones is the father of three children: Gavin, Brandi, and Tycia. He is the son of Mary L. Jones of Lexington.
"Capt. Jones will set an excellent example for the troopers under his command in District Two," Highway Patrol Col. Mike Kelley said. "He has distinguished himself by enforcing the law to the highest of professional standards."
As District Four captain, McDonald will oversee all Highway Patrol activities throughout Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Lancaster, Union and York Counties. He has been with the Highway Patrol since 1976. He was promoted to corporal in 1988, to sergeant in 1990 and to lieutenant in 1994.
A native of Marlboro County, McDonald is a graduate of Bennettsville High School. He holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and he also attended Coker College. He and his wife Herron currently reside in Fairfield County, where he attends Gordon Memorial Methodist Church. He is the father of two children: a son, Eric, and a daughter, Erin.
"Capt. McDonald has a well-deserved reputation for hard work and professionalism," Col. Kelley said. "I have no doubt that he will accomplish great things during his command of District Four."
As District Five captain, Howard will oversee all Highway Patrol activities throughout Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg Counties. He has been a member of the Highway Patrol since 1982. He was promoted to corporal in 1989, to sergeant in 1992 and to lieutenant in 1994.
A native of Florence, Howard is a graduate of Southside High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management from the University of Texas at El Paso and a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University. He served in the United States Army from June 1975 to August 1980. He is currently a captain in the South Carolina Army National Guard, where he has served since 1986. He is married, has one child and attends St. Paul AME Church.
"Through hard work and dedication to duty, Capt. Howard has earned the respect and trust of his fellow troopers in District Five," Col. Kelley said. "His commitment to ensuring public safety is evident in everything he does."
Editor’s Note: Photos of Capt. Jones, Capt. McDonald and Capt. Howard are available for downloading on the DPS web site at http://www.scdps.org/oea/newsreleases.html.
-- 30 --
JB/115/01
-Back-