Contact: SID GAULDEN, 803-600-8119
All questions regarding the collision investigation
should be directed to the Sumter County
Sheriff’s Office
COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety regretfully announces that Senior Trooper Jonathan W. Parker, 29, died in a motor vehicle collision around noon Monday in Sumter County on S.C. 527, a rural roadway just off I-95 near U.S. 378. The collision details are under investigation by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
“This is a devastating loss for the Highway Patrol and Department of Public Safety,” said DPS Director James K. Schweitzer. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Parker’s family.”
Trooper Parker was married and resided in Sumter County. Parker was assigned to Troop One, Post A, which includes Sumter and Clarendon counties.
Parker is a graduate of Sumter High School and attended The Citadel.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our comrade and friend,” said Highway Patrol Col. Russell F. Roark III. “Senior Trooper Parker was a hardworking trooper dedicated to the mission of the Highway Patrol and to making our roadways safer. He will be sorely missed by us all.”
Parker graduated from Highway Patrol Training School in 2000 and was assigned to Sumter County until April 2002. In January 2003, he returned to regular enforcement duty in Sumter/Clarendon counties where he has been stationed since. Parker worked for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Patrol.
The last trooper to die in a line-of-duty motor vehicle collision was 33-year-old Senior Trooper Mike Rao in 2002. Rao died in Clarendon County.
Further information on memorial service plans will be released by the Highway Patrol at the wishes of the family.
Picture of Senior Trooper J. W. Parker
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