COLUMBIA, SC — Police Chief Randy Scott received a statewide award Friday for his ongoing work to improve the Columbia Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles on Friday presented the annual Strom Thurmond Excellence in Law Enforcement awards to Scott and three other officers.
Scott was cited for improving morale, providing stability to the department and renewing the department’s focus on community policing and reducing violent crime.
The other winners are:
Col. Michael Oliver, commander of the S.C. Highway Patrol. Oliver, a 31-year patrol veteran, was appointed in November 2011. He oversees the more than 800 troopers and 300 civilians who work for the Highway Patrol.
FBI Special Agent Ronald Grosse, who investigates white collar crime in the Columbia office. His work has resulted in 200 convictions, $285.2 million in court-ordered victim restitution and has led to the recovery of $31.6 million. This year, he investigated a case involving a Sumter man who cut off another man’s hand with a chainsaw in an insurance scam.
Newberry County Sheriff’s Maj. Todd Johnson, who oversees his department’s special operations, budgets and court security. Johnson developed a program that prepares school resource officers to deal with shooters on campuses. The program has been shared with other small police departments.
Reach Phillips at (803) 771-8307.
