Richland County deputies losing ‘Peacemaker’ vehicle

Richland County’s law enforcement vehicle nicknamed the “Peacemaker” is losing its badge after a decade of service.

The armored personnel carrier’s duty is ending after 10 years of availability to protect deputies from gunfire even though it was never used in a confrontation, Sheriff Leon Lott said Monday.

It has been a popular sight at festivals and parades.

But its service is over after federal authorities ordered return of the surplus military vehicles nationwide following violence and unrest in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis, last year.

“This was another piece of equipment,” Lott said. “It was very positive for us.”

Lott never drove the vehicle, he said.

The vehicle never carried weapons, but deputies are removing features added such as cameras and a battering ram. They also will give it a paint job and remove its badge similar to deputies wear.

Even without it, deputies are equipped to protect the community from “bad guys” with another armored vehicle as well as a Humvee and two military surplus helicopters, Lott said.

Events following Ferguson have focused attention on whether police should have military equipment.

Lott said agencies need to be prepared against terrorist attacks.

“If we’re not equipped and we’re not trained, our citizens are going to hold us accountable for it,” Lott said.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 3:27 PM.