Richland County Sheriff’s Department lead agency in drill By W. Thomas Smith Jr. A multi-agency drill led by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RSCD) and simulating an active shooter scenario with mass casualties was conducted on the campus of Columbia International University, Tuesday, Dec. 14. Utilizing the nationally standardized IncidentContinue Reading

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. United States Senator Tim Scott, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, praised Project H.O.P.E., a program of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), as a model for elderly outreach and assistance which might be implemented by other agencies, nationwide. Scott’s remarksContinue Reading

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Two Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) deputies received Eastminster Presbyterian Church’s Servant Leadership award during ceremonies which also awarded members of the Columbia Police Department, the Forest Acres Police Department, and the Richland County Emergency Medical Services, Sun., Sept. 12. Like all of the recipients,Continue Reading

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Last week, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Major Maria Yturria, and yours truly received signed coffee mugs from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The NYPD mugs were a token of thanks to RCSD, and they were presented inContinue Reading

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Runners participating in GUARDIANS OF THE NIGHT 2021, a 5K road race in support of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s (RCSD) K9 teams (dogs and handlers), turned out in record numbers, Sat. evening, July 31. Approximately 550 runners of all skill levels and walkers, manyContinue Reading

The story of RCSD Corporal Ryan MacAdams By W. Thomas Smith Jr. IT’S BEEN SAID THAT DYNAMITE COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES. And it does. Then there is a tiny chip of uranium: Dangerous if mishandled, yet capable of lighting entire cities and more. Perhaps it is that chip of uraniumContinue Reading

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Deputy Sarah Merriman was presented the American Legion (S.C. Dept.) Award for Bravery during ceremonies at the Columbia Marriot, Fri., May 28. The award reads: “For outstanding courage and bravery above and beyond the call of duty.” Merriman was similarlyContinue Reading

Richland County deputies, Columbia Police officers, and Columbia firefighters compete for most blood donor votes in the annual drive By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), the Columbia Police Department (CPD), and the Columbia Fire Department (CFD) are partnering with the American Red Cross once againContinue Reading

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott (pictured) was honored by the Town of Blythewood at the 11th annual Blythewood Rodeo, Sat., Apr. 24. The Sheriff received a Town Resolution congratulating him for his having been named 2021 SHERIFF OF THE YEAR by the Alexandria, VA-based National Sheriff’s Association (NSA). The resolutionContinue Reading

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Active and retired Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) deputies and others gathered at the RCSD Region 3 headquarters and RCSD training facility – the cafeteria-auditorium of the former Denny Terrace Elementary School – for the 23rd annual RCSD Retirees Luncheon, Mon. Mar. 8. Sheriff LeonContinue Reading