FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2005

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409

 

SCDPS RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING TROOPERS FOR 2004

 

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Director James K. Schweitzer and Highway Patrol Colonel Russell F. Roark III today presented awards to troopers from around the state for their exceptional service in 2004. One trooper from each of the state’s seven geographic regions, headquarters, the ACE team drug interdiction unit, MAIT Unit and Insurance Enforcement Unit is chosen. The Trooper of the Year is selected from among those candidates.

 

2004 Trooper of the Year:

Lance Corporal Shayward S. McKenzie, Troop One

L/Cpl. McKenzie is currently assigned to Troop 1/Post A, Sumter/Clarendon counties. He joined the Highway Patrol in 1997 assigned to Marlboro County. McKenzie began his law enforcement career in Florence as a Telecommunications Operator for the Highway Patrol. On November 4, 2004, while patrolling in Sumter County, Lance Corporal McKenzie heard a radio broadcast initiated by the Sumter Police Department requesting that officers be on the lookout for a small green vehicle occupied by three males who had just committed an armed robbery at the Bank of America on Broad Street in Sumter. While patrolling U.S. 378 south of Sumter close to Interstate 95, Lance Corporal McKenzie observed a small green vehicle occupied by two males traveling south on U.S. 378.  Although the number of occupants did not fit the description and McKenzie was far from the incident location, Trooper McKenzie got behind the vehicle, which immediately turned onto a secondary road off U.S. 378. Lance Corporal McKenzie initiated a felony traffic stop and removed the two subjects from the vehicle. When assistance arrived, a search of the vehicle and surrounding area produced evidence (including the stolen money) from the bank robbery in Sumter. Further investigation revealed that the third male involved in the robbery had been lying in the back seat of the vehicle and had jumped out of the vehicle and fled. He was captured after a search of the area. Lance Corporal McKenzie is a native of Scranton, SC, and he and his wife, Jennifer, currently reside in Olanta and attend the Barrineau Pentecostal Holiness Church in Lake City. His parents are Stanley and Nell McKenzie of Olanta.  

 

Troop 1:

Lance Corporal Shayward S. McKenzie (See above)

 

Troop 2:

Lance Corporal James F. Brown Jr.:  

Lance Corporal James F. Brown Jr. is currently assigned to Troop Two/Post B, Greenwood and Abbeville Counties. He joined the Highway Patrol in 1997 assigned to Georgetown County. On January 8, 2004, L/Cpl Brown made the largest single drug seizure in the county for the year.  He seized 231 grams of marijuana.  Starting with a simple burned out headlight, L/Cpl. Brown stopped the vehicle and began an investigation.  L/Cpl. Brown developed a reasonable suspicion to enter the vehicle, where he found a Crown Royal bag containing 227 grams of marijuana.  He also developed probable cause to arrest the passenger and recovered another 4.10 grams of marijuana.  This is just one example of his enforcement efforts, which have resulted in numerous drug cases throughout his career. L/Cpl. Brown serves as an Associate MAIT Investigator and is currently a member of the Civil Emergency Response Team.  Before joining the Highway Patrol, Brown worked as a Greenwood County Detention Officer. He is a Greenwood County native and graduated from Ninety-Six High School in 1993.  He attended Lander University.  He is married to the former Melanie Berry of Saluda.  L/Cpl Brown attends Westside Baptist Church and enjoys giving his time to worthy charity events within the community. His parents are James F. Brown Sr. and Peggy Brown of Ninety Six.

 

Troop 3:

Senior Trooper Michael D. Harrison: S/Tpr. Harrison joined the South Carolina Highway Patrol in 2000. He is currently assigned to Troop Three, Post B (Oconee/Pickens). Senior Trooper Harrison made a total of 35 illegal drug arrests in Post B during 2004. On February 10, 2004, Senior Trooper Harrison stopped a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu for speeding on I-85 in Oconee County. After making the traffic stop and receiving conflicting statements from the driver and passenger, Senior Trooper Harrison asked for consent to search the vehicle. The driver refused, and Senior Trooper Harrison requested STP Officer J. D. Hand to respond with his K-9 to do a walk-around on the vehicle. Upon Officer Hand’s arrival, the driver attempted to flee in his vehicle causing Officer Hand to be dragged down the roadway. Senior Trooper Harrison attempted to shoot out the driver’s side rear tire. After a vehicle pursuit, the suspects were later apprehended, and 58 pounds of marijuana and four kilos of cocaine were found in the trunk of the vehicle. Senior Trooper Harrison acted in a heroic manner to ensure the safety of the officer involved. His knowledge and expertise aided in removing illegal drugs from our state’s roadways.

Harrison is very active with the Pickens Explorer program. In 2004, Senior Trooper Harrison received the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Award.

He is an Easley native and graduated from Easley High School in 1996. He is married to Melissa Harrison and resides in Pickens.

  

Troop 4:

Lance Corporal Timothy H. Yarborough:  Lance Corporal Timothy H. Yarborough is currently assigned to Troop 4/Post B, York County. He joined the Highway Patrol in 1987.  Lance Corporal Yarborough works diligently to apply the data from the CREP (Collision Reduction Enforcement Plan, which shows collision/fatality patterns for each area of the state) to his enforcement efforts, especially in the school zones and on high crash/fatal roadways. He leads his Post in cases made, seatbelt enforcement and is second in D.U.I. enforcement.  Before joining the Highway Patrol, Yarborough served with the Society Hill Police Department and Hartsville Police Department. Lance Corporal Yarborough is a native of Highpoint, NC. He and his wife, Tammy, reside in Clover and they are the parents of three children, Amanda, Jenny and Hollis.  They are members of the Pine Grove Baptist Church.  L/Cpl. Yarborough is a positive role model as a member of his community and trooper. He has been recognized for his enforcement efforts through various awards and by being assigned to specialized enforcement teams.  He willingly gives his time to assist supervisors in any task when needed. He excels in his enforcement activity and is a reliable, dedicated employee, whose work ethic and positive attitude set an example for younger troopers.

 

Troop 5:

Senior Trooper John Wayne Ellis II:  Senior Trooper John Wayne Ellis II joined the Highway Patrol in 2000 assigned to Horry County. He is currently serving in Troop 5/Post B, Dillon County. On the morning of July 3, 2004, Senior Trooper Ellis was on routine patrol on SC 57, in rural Dillon County when he stopped a speeding vehicle.  The violator turned into a private drive and stopped the vehicle. A passenger in the violator vehicle exited and began to walk around the vehicle in an apparent attempt to distract Trooper Ellis. The passenger, who was outside of the vehicle, fled on foot into some nearby woods.  Ellis ordered the violator from the vehicle and onto the ground, where the violator was handcuffed and secured without incident.  A search of the vehicle produced a loaded .45 caliber handgun. The search, along with information provided by the Florence Telecommunications Center, indicated that the two were suspects in string of armed robberies, several kidnappings and numerous grand larcenies in Richland and Horry Counties. Responding officers conducted a search of the immediate area resulting in the apprehension of the suspect a short time later. Again on October 18, 2004, Ellis displayed his bravery when he attempted to initiate another routine traffic stop on a speeding violator on a secondary route in Florence County. The violator fled, slowing long enough to toss a small packet from the car window.  The violator finally stopped after several miles and was arrested without incident.  A search of the violator revealed a loaded P-380 handgun in his  pocket and over $2,000 in cash.  After properly securing the violator, Senior Trooper Ellis retraced the route of the pursuit and after a diligent and thorough search of the area, he recovered 57.3 grams of cocaine. In addition to serving as a state trooper, Ellis is currently a member of the 315th Mission Support Squadron/Family Support Office, Charleston AFB. Ellis is a native of Fork, SC. He and his wife, Karen, have two children, Wesley and Emory, and reside in Dillon. Ellis is actively involved in his community, coaching both little league baseball and youth flag football in his community, in addition to being active in the Lake View Church of God.  

 

Troop 6:

Lance Corporal Isaac H. Gregorie:  Lance Corporal I.H. Gregorie has been with the South Carolina Highway Patrol since 1973.  He currently serves in Troop 6, Post C, Beaufort/Jasper counties. On March 12, 2004, there was a major collision on US 17 near Gardens Corner in Beaufort County involving two Navy buses, a bobtail tractor trailer and a passenger vehicle.  Lance Corporal Gregorie responded to the collision and began investigating.  The collision resulted in three fatalities, over 70 injuries and a road closure for more than 10 hours.  Following the collision, Lance Corporal Gregorie worked with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and M.A.I.T to determine the cause.  He spent countless hours of his personal time attending meetings and updating his files as he uncovered new information on the incident. On April 12, 2004, Lance Corporal Gregorie received a letter of commendation for his efforts regarding this incident. Commanding Officer Bob Byron of the Department of the Navy, assigned to the USS Pinckney, wrote: “I want to personally thank you for the support and assistance that you provided to my crew and me after the tragic accident on 12 March. Your outpouring of genuine concern and inspiring professionalism will be with us always.” Lance Corporal I.H. Gregorie did an outstanding job working with all agencies in a collaborative effort to gather information and complete a report for this collision.  His thoroughness while handling this incident was impressive to everyone involved.  After 31 years of service, Lance Corporal Gregorie’s proficiency, professionalism and dedication remain exemplary. L/Cpl. Gregorie is a Hampton County native. He and his wife, Sarah, have two children and reside in Ridgeland. He is a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church.

 

Troop 7:

Lance Corporal William H. (Billy) Lynn: Lance Corporal W.H. (Billy) Lynn served as a Tele-communications operator for the Patrol in Aiken County before completing Patrol school in 1986 when he was assigned to Sumter County. He currently serves in Troop 7/Post C, Aiken. His performance throughout his career has been outstanding. On May 22, 2004, Lance Corporal Lynn was dispatched to the scene of a traffic collision on SC-302 in Aiken County. The collision involved a hit-and-run vehicle that crossed the center line and struck two pedestrians walking for help after their vehicle had stalled. After arriving on the scene, Lance Corporal Lynn found the two pedestrians in critical condition and immediately requested medical assistance.  As he continued to conduct his investigation, Lynn found a small broken piece from a red taillight reflector. The piece from the reflector was collected as evidence and later analyzed, identifying the make and model of the vehicle as well as its color. Once Lance Corporal Lynn received this information, he contacted the local newspaper requesting publication of the collision details and asking for the public’s assistance. Within a few days, the Highway Patrol received information regarding the location of the hit-and-run vehicle. While on vacation, Lynn learned of the information. He immediately returned to work and led the Patrol’s effort in completing the investigation. The driver was arrested on May 28, 2004, and charged with leaving the scene of a collision with personal injuries, driving under suspension, and driving left of center.

Lance Corporal Lynn is an important contributor to the success of the organization, displays zest and pleasure in his work and is results oriented. He is well respected in his community and regularly conducts safety presentations in schools and local civic organizations within Aiken County.  

 

Troop 8: ACE Team:

Corporal Russell H. Brown:  Corporal R.H. Brown is the ACE Team nominee. He is the Lowstate Interdiction Team supervisor and a K-9 Handler.  The dual responsibilities of  handling a canine, combined with the duties of supervising an interdiction region, have never  been performed by one person. His continued efforts at maintaining good relationships with DEA and other local and state agencies have proved valuable in effectively patrolling the I-95 corridor. Corporal Brown’s ability to share intelligence and officer safety information with neighboring states has helped the ACE Team remain current on trends and therefore be more successful on the road. Corporal Brown was promoted to Corporal only a year ago. Since then, his team has quickly taken the lead in interdiction seizures and that can only be accomplished with solid leadership (media: personal information regarding ACE Team members is not released because of officer safety concerns).

 

Troop 9: MAIT Unit:

Sergeant Dale E. Smith:  Sergeant D.E. Smith joined the Highway Patrol in 1992 assigned to Marlboro County. In January 2000, he transferred to the Piedmont M.A.I.T. (Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team) Unit. Sgt. Smith helps lead the Piedmont MAIT Unit in investigating complicated vehicle crash scenes often involving multiple vehicle, fatalities or other unusual circumstances. He routinely uses his expertise to help train other law enforcement agencies in reconstruction techniques and to solve difficult cases through state-of-the-art technology and computer analysis, precisely reconstructing collision scenes. He is passionate about saving lives on the highways by helping the public better understand what causes collisions and how to prevent them. He routinely gives safety presentations sharing his insight as an investigator. In addition to his work on the MAIT Unit, in 2004 Sgt. Smith planned, promoted and coordinated the first annual “Trooper Toy Trot” race for the benefit of underprivileged children at Christmas. The race was held December 4, 2004 at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Sgt. Smith’s idea was for each race participant to bring an unwrapped toy for the children in addition to the registration fee. The registration fees would be used to pay for expenses with any remaining money to go toward purchasing additional toys for the children. The race was a success with more than 100 participants. The Highway Patrol was able to purchase toys for several hundred children statewide through the ideas and efforts of Sgt. Smith. Sgt. Smith spent much of his personal time planning and organizing this event over several months preceding the race. This is indicative of his dedication and devotion not only to doing his job well but improving his community. Sgt. Smith is a native of Colorado. He and his wife, Melissa, have two children, Asa and Noah, and reside in Pelzer. He is a member of New Hope Baptist church.

 

Troop 10: Insurance Enforcement Unit

Lance Corporal Joseph Stanley Sr.: Lance Corporal Joseph Stanley Sr. is a member of the Highway Patrol Insurance Enforcement Unit. He joined the Highway Patrol in 1977. He is currently assigned to Troop 6: Beaufort/Jasper counties. The 27-year veteran has been assigned to Jasper County since his graduation from Patrol school in 1977. He retired October 31, 2002, and returned to work with the Insurance Enforcement Unit on November 16, 2002. He has always been a role model for younger troopers and fellow workers by volunteering for special duty such as 2004 hurricane season. He is always the first to volunteer.  In 2004, he led the state with 5,912 contacts and cleared 2,860 suspended vehicle tags. He issued numerous citations to include:  operating uninsured motor vehicles, failure to surrender suspended vehicle tags and other violations. Lance Corporal Stanley has three children. He currently resides in Ridgeland and is a member of the Second Baptist Church in Barnwell. His mother is Mrs. Juliette Stanley of Brooklyn, New York. His hobbies include hunting and fishing.

 

Troop 11: HP Headquarters

Lt. Sandi F. McLeod: Lt. S.F. McLeod is assigned to Troop 11, Headquarters. She joined the Highway Patrol in 1985 assigned to Kershaw County until 1995 when she joined the Highway Patrol Training Unit. Lt. McLeod currently work in headquarters, managing the Highway Patrol’s budget. Her close management of the budget has allowed the Highway Patrol to save and allocate limited funds with the utmost efficiency during tight budget times. She has been instrumental in the financial planning for Hurricane Evacuation, procurement oversight and planning for the Patrol’s future budget situation. Lt. McLeod is also a vital member of the Highway Patrol PEER Team, assisting the SCDPS chaplain in the coordination of the group. The Highway Patrol has received numerous commendations regarding this group and how it has helped fellow first-responders through difficult times. Lt. McLeod is also instrumental in planning the “Service of Remembrance” for fallen troopers, the Survivors’ Seminar for families of slain troopers and volunteering with other charitable programs and her church. This past year, she developed and implemented the “baskets for families” for DPS employees serving abroad in the military. She brought together all DPS divisions in this effort. Lt. McLeod resides in Lugoff with her husband Mack and has two grown daughters. She attends Camden First Nazarene Church.

 

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