FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2006

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409

 

OFFICERS, AGENCIES HONORED FOR DUI ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS

 

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recognized nine law enforcement officers and 10 agencies today for their efforts in stopping drunken drivers on South Carolina roadways.

 

The keynote speaker for the 2006 Statewide DUI Enforcement Recognition Ceremony was MADD National President Glynn Birch whose toddler son was killed by a drunk driver in 1988. The event, held at Seawell’s in Columbia, drew more than 300 law enforcement officials and highway safety advocates from across the state.

 

Law enforcement categories and award winners are:

 

• Statewide Officer of the Year:

Deputy Jason Kramer, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office

• Statewide Rookie of the Year:

Trooper J.D. McGaha, Highway Patrol Troop 5 (Post D, Horry County)

• Statewide Agency of the Year:

Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office

• Highway Patrol Troop of the Year:

Troop 1 (Clarendon, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland and Sumter counties)

• State Transport Police 2005 Award of Excellence:

The Strategic Traffic Alcohol and Radar (STAR) Team

• South Carolina Law Enforcement Network Award:

2^nd Circuit LEN (Aiken, Bamberg and Barnwell counties)

• Agency DUI HERO Awards (based on agency size):

Eastover Police Department – one to 10 officers    

Darlington Police Department – 11 to 25 officers

Newberry Police Department – 26 to 50 officers

Oconee County Sheriff’s Office – 51 to 100 officers

Mount Pleasant Police Department – 101 to 250 officers

Greenville County Sheriff’s Office – 251 officers and above

• Officer DUI HERO Awards (based on agency size):

Sgt. Robert Herlong, North Police Department – one to 10 officers

Sgt. Gerry Brown, Bluffton Police Department – 11 to 25 officers

Cpl. Jonathan Osborne, York Police Department – 26 to 50 officers

Deputy Kris Bratcher, Pickens Sheriff’s Office – 51 to 100 officers

Pfc. Shon McCluskey, Myrtle Beach Police Department – 101 to 250 officers

Deputy Jason Kramer, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office – 251 officers and above

• Trooper DUI HERO Award:

Cpl. Ricky Grubbs, Troop 1 (Post B, Kershaw and Lee counties)

                                                                       

MADD also recognized the following volunteer Community Action Site Leaders:

 

• Frank Hamilton, of Beaufort
• Olivia Mitchell, of Clarendon
• Donna Carter, of Darlington
• Alice Wright, of Florence
• Vikki Miller, of Georgetown
• Terry Taylor, of Greenville
• Melissa Boyd, of Horry
• Shawn Boyd, of Horry
• Debbie Sellers, of Kershaw
• Margaret Brackett, of Newberry
• Anne Sellars,  of Spartanburg
• Eddie Sellars, of Spartanburg
• Jo Thames, of Sumter