Story by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Photographs by Joye King

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (aka “America’s Law Enforcement Agency”) won several awards during last week’s S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association 2019 Police Olympics, including the coveted “Top Cop” award, beating all participating competitors statewide. The competition was held Sat., Oct. 5, at the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy.

The law enforcement related events included shooting skills competition, a strongman event (categorized into age, gender, and weight classes), and a tactical athlete event. The highest scoring participant based on all three events was awarded the title, “Top Cop.”

RCSD Corporal Warren Cavanagh [pictured shooting above] competed in all three events and won “Top Tactical Athlete.” He also won the overall “Top Cop” award.

RCSD Deputies Rachel Myers and Rafael Feliciano-Cruz both took home “Top Shooter” awards [pictured here with awards].

Rounding out TEAM RCSD were Deputy Casey Signorino, Investigator Marie Morris, and Investigator Ricky Johnson each of whom won best in their respective weight classes in the “Strongman” competition.

“I’m proud of all of our participants,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. “They not only represented our department well, but their performances are a reflection of the culture of healthy competition and physical fitness in our department as well as the superior law enforcement field-training all of deputies and other officers receive here at the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept.”

Established in 1941, the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association is the professional association representing law enforcement agencies and officers across South Carolina. The Police Olympics is an annual event.

– For more information about the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept., visit http://rcsd.net.