ISRAEL BROOKS 1944-2007

COLUMBIA – “Speaking for the men and women of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety who knew or worked with Israel Brooks, as well as those who came along after he had retired, we are terribly saddened by the news of his passing,” SCDPS Director James K. Schweitzer said Friday.

“At a time in our state’s history when black men and women were not allowed to demonstrate their love for their community and their state, Israel Brooks dared to challenge that norm – not in a confrontational manner, but through working from within.”

Schweitzer added, “He was the first African American to become a South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper and during his years of service to the Patrol and the people of our state, he demonstrated time and again that he believed in fairness and equity for everyone.

“On a personal note, Israel Brooks was my friend,” said Schweitzer. “When I arrived in South Carolina as the Special Agent in Charge for the FBI, then U.S. Marshall Brooks went out of his way to assist me in my efforts to assimilate into the community. Israel Brooks embodied the term “public servant.” He served his family, his church, his state and his country with honor and dignity.”

Highway Patrol Col. Russell S. Roark recalled that, “Maj. Brooks was always a mentor to the troopers around him. He was a progressive leader.”

Roark noted that Brooks “came to the Highway Patrol during some of the most difficult times in our nation’s history. He took his experiences – both positive and negative – and used those to provide guidance and leadership within our organization. If I had to describe him in one word, it would be professional.

“Of his many accomplishments, he was the first person on the Highway Patrol to establish a professional way to assist victims and families of traffic collisions in South Carolina,” Roark said. “Whether U.S. Marshal, whether major with the SC Highway Patrol or just Israel Brooks, he was larger than life.

“The Highway Patrol family lost a true friend today. He will be greatly missed by his friends in law enforcement,” Roark concluded.

Brooks, born June 30, 1944 in Newberry, joined the South Carolina Highway Patrol in August, 1967 and underwent Patrol training before being assigned to Beaufort County. Prior to joining the Patrol, Brooks served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps.

In 1974, Brooks became the first African-American to be promoted to a supervisory rank within the Patrol when he was promoted to Corporal. A year later, he was promoted to Sergeant.

He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1982 and Captain in 1987, at which time he was assigned the task of putting together the Patrol’s initial Internal Affairs Unit.

Three years later, Brooks was promoted to Major and placed in charge of the Patrol’s administrative and support functions.