Longtime SC police chief retires after causing crash amid a medical emergency
Following 23 years of service to the department, including a year as its leader, Steven Jonas will retire as police chief for the town of South Congaree, according to town officials.
Jonas’ retirement comes a month after he was involved in a two-vehicle collision, where an investigation revealed that Jonas suffered an unforeseen medical event while operating his patrol vehicle, causing him to strike another vehicle after veering left from the center lane on South Beltline Boulevard in Columbia on Aug. 27.
Jonas, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years, joined the police department in the small town near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in 2002 a news release said. He was appointed chief in August 2024.
Before that, he worked with the Department of Corrections, Bureau of Protective Services, S.C. Highway Patrol and the town of Lexington Police Department.
“We thank him for his service to our community and wish him well in his retirement,” the town said in the release.
This story was originally published September 27, 2025 at 9:57 AM.
