Martial arts teacher wanted to honor SC’s highway troopers. So he opened a museum for them
Sensei Brian Pena once sought to become a law enforcement officer, but changed his mind and became a martial arts instructor instead. Still, 30 years later, his admiration for those who protect us is so strong that he created a museum in his West Columbia gym.
For nearly a year, Pena met with current and former Highway Patrol officials, troopers and others to gather Highway Patrol memorabilia. On Feb. 6, he opened his museum with more than 120 items.
“I’m in a position that I can give back. We have hundreds of students that come through our doors everyday and their parents that come in here every day. It helps teach the children to love and to respect law enforcement,” Pena said.
Pena reached out to the department in April 2022 to ask permission to start the project and spoke with the Maj. Jones Gamble, one of the majors in charge of Field Operations in the Highway Patrol.
“The Highway Patrol is very protective of their history,” Pena said. “So it took me a little bit of time to earn their trust, and to get them to trust me.”
Once he earned their trust, the project took off. Pena had the chance to speak with eight of the nine former living colonels — the highway patrol’s former top officers — and the families of four of the deceased colonels. He never had an issue with families hesitating to talk. He also spoke with the current colonel, Christopher Williamson.
“Once I got in, (when) the current colonel kind of believed in me and blessed it, I could call anybody,” Pena said. “I’ve been to their homes and sat with them. Sometimes we got a meal.”
Pena’s collection features badges of every Highway Patrol rank, including patrolman, trooper, corporal, sergeant, major, lieutenant and colonel.
But his favorite piece in the collection is a letter he received from Williamson recognizing Pena’s work. Pena is honored by all the living former colonels’ signatures on the letter.
The letter thanks Pena for honoring the Highway Patrol’s history, saying, “Community leaders like yourself play a vital role in building partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they represent.”
“Some of them have given me treasures, badges, patches, uniforms, drones, but more than that, they’ve given me stories.” Pena said.
Pena points to framed photos of former Maj. Henry M. Addy shaking the hands of Pope John Paul II during the Pope’s visit to Columbia in 1987 and President Jimmy Carter. Below the images is a handwritten letter by Addy’s daughter in 2022 about being the daughter of a policeman.
“That letter will make you cry,” Pena said. “They look all tough in the uniform and everything else. But that’s somebody’s father. That’s somebody’s husband or wife.”
The letter is written to Addy after his death in 2011, saying, “I miss you with all my being. I cherish the memories of you and the impact that you had on my life.”
The South Carolina Highway Patrol held a luncheon to recognize Pena’s work on Feb. 6. Attending were DPS Director Robert G. Woods IV, Williamson, eight of the nine living former colonels and other representatives from the Highway Patrol and the South Carolina Troopers Association. The Highway Patrol is part of DPS.
Gamble said over email he recognized Pena’s passion for the project immediately.
“I remember visiting his dojo as the collection was being built, with each visit revealing more items donated to him from former troopers and officers and their families,” Gamble said. “I’m impressed with the respect and attention he’s put into the preservation of our rich law enforcement history.”
Pena hopes to expand his collection and pass it to his daughters.
“A lot of stuff like this would have ended up in a cardboard box,” Pena said.
To visit Pena’s museum, those interested can visit his dojo at 2225 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 3:30 -7:30 p.m. You can also contact Pena through at thekaratedojo.com to make an appointment.
This story was originally published February 21, 2023 at 12:04 PM.
CORRECTION: The story has been updated to correct the title for Maj. Jones Gamble. He is one of the majors in charge of Field Operations in the Highway Patrol.
