A South Carolina LEO's Blog

SCHP: Deputy Crashes After Falling Asleep

Thu, 29 May 2008 01:07:32 GMT

Highway Patrol troopers ticketed an Anderson County deputy they said fell asleep at the wheel and crashed his patrol car.

Troopers said that the deputy fell asleep at about 5 a.m. Tuesday. He ran through a stop sign and ended up in a ditch near the intersection of Riddle and Sexton Gin roads in the Iva area.

The deputy was not injured. It was not immediately clear if the deputy was on duty at the time of the crash.

The Anderson County Sheriff's Office investigators said that they will look at the Highway Patrol's report before determining if any action will be taken against the deputy.

County Aims To Silence Guns, End Violence - Project Hopes For Swift Trials, Stiff Penalties

Thu, 29 May 2008 01:04:41 GMT

After a weekend that saw several shootings in Spartanburg County, three of them fatal, officials hope a new program will help end the violence.

The program is called the "Summer of Silence." It will be put into action by a team comprised of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, put together by Solicitor Trey Gowdy.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald said, "This is the first time a local solicitor has taken it upon himself to formalize that relationship."

The team will be going after anyone in the county who is caught with a gun but shouldn't have one. That includes convicted felons, those engaged in drug crimes, addicts or those using a controlled substance and anyone convicted of domestic violence or who is subject to a restraining order.

McDonald said, "These individuals -- I can promise you -- will be dealt with."

Each case will be screened to see if it can be tried in federal court, where cases move quicker and bon amounts and penalties are higher.

Officials say they already have evidence that the program is working after a Wellford officer pulled over a man who had a gun in his possession.

ATF agent C.J. Hyman said, "That individual last month was indicted in federal court for possession of drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and he probably will be (sentenced to) at least 10 or 15 years."

Officials said if that man had been tried at the state level, the penalty wouldn't have been as stiff.

Hyman said, "We hope this summer will be a quieter one in Spartanburg."

Bogus Officer 'Arrests,' Handcuffs Man - Disagreement Follows Flirtation With Man's Sister

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:06:43 GMT

ANDERSON, S.C. -- A man is facing serious charges after Anderson police said that he impersonated an officer and "arrested" a man with whom he had argued.

The alleged victim, Stephen Smith, 20, told police that he was at the Denny's restaurant on Clemson Boulevard, when he got into a conflict with another man.

Smith said the other man, William Taylor, 23, was hitting on Smith's sister. Smith said he told Taylor to leave his sister alone. The men began to argue, and the conflict continued out into the parking lot.

Smith said Taylor would not listen to him, and Taylor became more upset. He said Taylor then walked to his car and took out a vest that had a security enforcement badge on it. Smith said Taylor claimed to be a law enforcement officer and he told Smith he was under arrest.

Smith said Taylor threatened him with pepper spray, made him turn around, handcuffed him and forced him to sit on the curb.

Witnesses said that during the time that Smith was left handcuffed on the curb, Taylor harassed the women who were with him, saying they should "say goodbye" to Smith because he was going to jail.

Anderson police officers arrived at the Denny's, and after talking to witnesses, they arrested Taylor. He is charged with impersonating a police officer. He was released on bond.

Man Charged In Rookie Cop's Shooting - Suspect Faces Total Of 10 Charges

Tue, 13 May 2008 22:43:14 GMT

ANDERSON, S.C. -- Nearly a year after a rookie police officer was shot while responding to a robbery, the police chief announced charges in the case.

Anderson Police Chief Marty Brown said Tuesday that 25-year-old Shantiago Emanuel Smith, of Belton, faces a total of ten charges in connection with the shooting and robbery.

Brown said, "This violent offender is one that assaulted and attempted to kill one of our police officers. We haven't rested a day since that incident has occurred. We have pursued every lead that has been produced ..."

Brown said that Smith has been in jail for the past month on unrelated charges.

Brown said, "Obviously it is a great relief to Officer Fikes and his family -- knowing the individual was out there -- he knew who the officer was who tried to apprehend him. You can imagine the relief he and his family feels knowing that we got this guy behind bars."

Smith is charged with four counts of armed robbery, four counts of kidnapping, assault battery with attempt to kill and possession of a fire arm during the commission of a crime.

Officer David Fikes was shot twice in the upper arm. Another three shots were deflected by his bullet-proof vest. Fikes credits his body armor with saving his life.

Fikes had been a police officer for less than a year when he responded to the report of a robbery at Churchill's Pub on Highway 81. The robber held the bartender and some customers hostage during the robbery. The customers were tied up with rope, but one was able to get free and called 911.

Fikes was shot when he confronted the robbery suspect, now identified as Smith, behind the pub.

A bond hearing will be held for Smith Wednesday morning.

As far as Fikes goes, Brown says nearly losing his life in the line of duty hasn't changed him.

"His spirits haven't changed a bit," Brown said. "He's the same hardworking, dedicated officer that he was he first day he put on that uniform and that incident hasn't changed him a bit."

Charges Expected In Rookie Cop's Shooting

Tue, 13 May 2008 07:29:44 GMT

ANDERSON, S.C. -- Nearly a year after a rookie police officer was shot while responding to a robbery, the police chief says he will announce charges filed in the case.

Anderson Police Chief Marty Brown will announce the charges on Tuesday.

Officer David Fikes was shot twice in the upper arm. Two other shots were deflected by his bullet-proof vest. Fikes credits his body armor with saving his life.

Fikes confronted the robber behind the pub. During a struggle with Fikes, the robber fired his weapon.

The news conference where to announce the charges will be held at 10 a.m.

You can view the WYFF4.com video footage of the original incident here http://www.wyff4.com/video/13749426/index.html

Police: Man Drives Wrong Way To Elude Cops - Man Wanted On Multiple Charges

Mon, 12 May 2008 19:26:02 GMT

MAULDIN, S.C. -- Mauldin police are looking for a man who they say eluded officers during a chase by speeding head-on into oncoming traffic.

Police said that at about 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, officers tried to stop a green Chrysler minivan that ran off the roadway several times on Old Mill Road.

Officers said as they tried to pull the vehicle over, the driver cut off his lights, accelerated rapidly and drove into oncoming traffic, forcing a Mauldin officer off the road. The officer was not injured, and managed to pick up the chase on U.S. 276.

The officer said the chase reached 80 mph before the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a curb on the entrance ramp to Interstate 85.

The driver, who police said they later identified as 50-year-old Elkin Perez, fled across I -85 on foot and into a wooded area.

Greenville police joined the search with a K-9, but officers were unable to locate Perez.

He is wanted for failure to stop for police, reckless driving and numerous other traffic violations.

Mauldin police said that Elkin is considered dangerous because he tried to run down officers during another incident in which he evaded police. They said that he has two driver's licenses with different names and Social Security numbers; one listing him as living in Simpsonville, the other in Spartanburg.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Perez is asked to call the Mauldin Police Department at 289-8900.

2008 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

Mon, 12 May 2008 19:22:09 GMT

Well after thinking I was doing well to move form a 2000 year model and into a 2005 a couple of months ago I received a pleasant surprise last Tuesday after leaving court. To make a short story even shorter when I walked out to drive home I was told to "clean out my car". Well that sounded like "clean out your desk" to me. After a few seconds the Lt. said to not worry, that I was getting a new one. When he said new I was thinking newer but not brand new. Well I am now in a 2008 Crown Victoria fully outfitted with all the current electronics. Below are a few B&W photos of the new vehicle. Not bad for my new rolling office.

Former Trooper Convicted Of Drug Trafficking - 12 Men Convicted As Result Of Investigation

Sat, 10 May 2008 11:50:59 GMT

COLUMBUS, S.C. -- A former South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper was convicted of drug trafficking on Thursday.

Walter Raleigh Johnson, Jr., 41, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of Anderson, supplied Mayo Pickens, 29, of Anderson, with kilogram quantities of cocaine.

Johnson's co-defendant, Adarryus Ellington, 35, of Anderson, was convicted of laundering the money the men made from dealing drugs.

Johnson was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald said the government had no evidence that Johnson was involved in drug trafficking while he served as a trooper. Johnson is also a former Marine.

The verdict followed a lengthy investigation into the cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana trafficking activities of a drug conspiracy headed by Pickens, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to the same offenses.

McDonald said along with Johnson and Pickens, 11 other Upstate men have been convicted of drug and money laundering offenses and are awaiting sentencing.

Greer Officer 'Hero of Year'

Sat, 10 May 2008 11:49:10 GMT

GREER, S.C. -- A Greer police officer who is a cancer survivor was honored Thursday as Hero of The Year for his volunteer work supporting children who are cancer patients.

The Heroes Chapter of Greenville and Spartanburg is a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers. The program serves pediatric cancer patients by "encouraging the qualities of courage and bravery, primarily through interaction with firefighters and police officers who volunteer to share heroic stories and to develop friendships with the patients."

Officer Scott Broome is the 2008 Hero of the Year, cited for "dedication to the program and its patients, as well as his regular involvement in Heroes events."

Broome, an 11-year veteran of the Greer Police Department, said he attempts to attend Heroes events every time he is asked, often with his K-9 partner, Ajax.

SLED: Officer Dealt Drugs To Inmates

Sat, 10 May 2008 11:48:09 GMT

LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. -- A South Carolina Department of Corrections officer is accused of trying to deal drugs to inmates.

Charley Nicole Calvert is charged with misconduct in office and possession with intent to distribute drugs.

State Law Enforcement Division agents said that Calvert took drugs from an undercover officer in Laurens County with the intent to sell them to an inmate for $300.

Moonshine Operation Busted

Sat, 10 May 2008 11:46:36 GMT

WINNSBORO, S.C. -- Fairfield County deputies said Thursday that they busted four moonshine stills and destroyed about 30 gallons of the homemade liquor.

Sheriff Herman Young said his office's narcotics investigators found four stills in some woods and smashed them with guns and axes Thursday.

Investigators also destroyed 20 gallons of clear moonshine and 10 gallons of moonshine flavored with fruits.

Young said the stills are part of a broader investigation his deputies are still conducting.

Police: Child Removed From Meth Lab - Couple Faces Multiple Charges

Sat, 10 May 2008 11:40:38 GMT

SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. -- A Simpsonville couple is accused of exposing a child to drugs by running a methamphetamine lab in their home.

Simpsonville police and Greenville deputies searched a home on Shagbark Ct in the Westwood subdivision on Friday. Officers said that they found methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a working methamphetamine lab in the home. They also found an 8-year-old boy.

Police said Luke Freeman Hitt, 35, and Tracy Denise Hollingsworth, 33, are charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing methamphetamine and unlawful exposure of a minor child to methamphetamine and chemicals.

The child was taken into protective custody by the Greenville Department of Social Services.

Lt. Ralph Bobo said, "It's always a sad situation when a small child is being affected by something he doesn't understand, and that was an issue today. He didn't understand why such a fuss was made over him because he didn't understand what methamphetamine is."

Hitt and Hollingsworth are being held at the Greenville County Detention Center

A hazardous materials cleanup crew from Columbia was called to remove any hazards in the home, but police said that it wasn't a large meth lab, and neighbors said that no one believed it posed an immediate danger to the neighborhood.

Investigators said that they have responded to several domestic calls at the home in recent months. Police said that during those visits, Hitt's behavior and the condition of the home caused them to suspect drug use.

Police said neighbors also called about extra traffic going to and from the home.

Line of Duty Deaths - South Carolina

Thu, 08 May 2008 08:10:11 GMT

I have added a list with all of the officers killed in the line of duty for South Carolina You can find it below in the lists section of my web page.

Worlds Dumbest Cop

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:36:55 GMT

OK, I know we all have done some dumb stuff in our law enforcement careers but I doubt any was as dumb as this cop from Michigan. I posted the video of the TV News report about this dumb cop. I think it speaks for itself and needs no further explanation. Click on the video above and judge for yourself.

Life is full of surprises

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:33:19 GMT

I got off work this morning at 7:00 AM and would normally have court at 9:00 AM. Today was supposed to be different, no court, so I could come home and get some needed sleep. As I was getting comfortable in bed my phone rings, it was a call from the Sgt's cell phone so I had to answer it. He told me that I was needed in court after all. I got out of bed and back into my uniform and drove to court. I took care of the one question I needed to be there for and was out the door. I ran into the Chief, Asst. Chief and the patrol Lt. talking outside. The Chief told me to clean out my car, now when you hear those words a lot goes through your mind, it did in my mind. I had just gotten into my newer 2006 Crown Vic last month and had it set up the way I wanted it. Anyway, he then said I was getting a brand new 2008 Crown Vic which was sitting in the lot. I was a bit stunned but happy and surprised as well. Long story short I spent the next hour cleaning out my old new car and transfered it all to my new NEW car. So I guess not being happy that I got called out of bed to court turned out to be a good thing after all. I will post photos of the NEW car later once I have it set up right.

Welcome

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:51:13 GMT

Welcome to my blog. My blog will focus on law enforcement topics and issues. I will especially cover items in South Carolina and surrounding southeast areas of the country, since this is where I am now located and working. I hope you will find this blog informative and just fun to read. Items posted here are not necessarily representative of my opinions, unless I wrote the entire posting. Items are posted for information purposes and are not to be considered policy, follow your own departments or agencies policy at all times.

Custom List: South Carolina Line Of Duty Deaths

Thu, 08 May 2008 08:05:23 GMT

South Carolina Line Of Duty Deaths