FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2002
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety today presented Lance Cpl. Eric Morris with the Highway Patrol’s District Seven Trooper of the Year award at the annual Employee Recognition Ceremony. District Seven includes Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Hampton and Orangeburg Counties.

Morris has been with the Highway Patrol since 1992. Initially assigned to Bamberg County, he transferred to Clarendon County in 1998. He was named "Employee of the Quarter" by District Seven Highway Patrol in June 2001.

"Lance Cpl. Morris maintains a solidly consistent enforcement record that makes him a highly valuable asset to the Highway Patrol," said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. "Even in the face of great stress and immense danger, he calmly draws on his extensive training in the performance of his duties."

In May 2001 Morris was working the midnight shift on I-95 in Clarendon County when he noticed what appeared to be an abandoned vehicle. When he radioed in the vehicle information to Patrol Telecommunications, he learned that the driver, who was asleep in the vehicle when Morris stopped, was wanted for a double homicide in Missouri. Morris followed the fugitive, who drove away, and ultimately took him into custody without incident.

In July 2001 the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency presented the Highway Patrol with a check for $89,911, which represented the Patrol’s portion of drug money seized as a result of a traffic stop by Morris on I-95 in January 2000. In addition to taking illegal drug money off the street, information obtained by Morris as a result of this seizure has been valuable to the D.E.A. in tracking the flow of contraband through South Carolina.

Morris, a Manning native, currently resides in Manning with his wife, Kimberly, and their three children. He is a graduate of Manning High School and a member of Second Baptist Church.

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JB/41/2002

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