High-ranking member of Richland County Sheriff’s Department loses job after arrest
A high-ranking veteran of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department lost his job after getting arrested over the weekend in South Carolina.
Christopher Duke, major of the Uniform Patrol Division, was charged with DUI following a traffic stop, the sheriff’s department said Monday in a news release.
At about 7 p.m. Saturday, the 45-year-old Duke was pulled over by a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, according to the release. The traffic stop was made because Duke was accused of speeding, the sheriff’s department said.
Duke was off duty and in his personal car when he was pulled over, according to the release. Information about where the traffic stop happened was not available.
Duke was taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he was charged with DUI (less than .10, first offense), the sheriff’s department said. Richland County court records show that Duke posted a $992 bond, and the Elgin resident is not currently listed on the jail’s inmate roster.
Duke was scheduled to appear in traffic court Monday, judicial records show.
A 22-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, Duke was immediately suspended without pay following the arrest and is no longer employed with the sheriff’s department, according to the release.
Duke resigned following his suspension, Deputy Chief Maria Yturria told The State Monday. Despite the resignation, Duke is still listed on the sheriff’s department website as the director of the uniform division.
The uniform division is responsible for traffic safety, crime prevention, code enforcement and school safety, according to the sheriff’s department’s website.
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This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 10:42 AM.
