editorial staff – NationsDefense

Deputy receives bravery award, also named Deputy of the Year

On January 13, 2021 by editorial staff

South Carolina LEO recognized for heroism By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COLUMBIA, S.C. – Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Deputy Sarah Merriman was presented the highest departmental honor – DEPUTY OF THE YEAR 2020 – during RCSD’s annual awards ceremonies, Wed. Jan….

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Lott re-sworn as Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff

On January 6, 2021 by editorial staff

HUNDREDS OF DEPUTY SHERIFFS LATER RE-SWORN By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the seventh consecutive time since 1997, Leon Lott raised his right hand and was re-sworn as sheriff of Richland County, Tues. morning, Jan. 5. The oath of…

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“COME AND FIGHT ME!”

On October 29, 2020 by editorial staff

“COME AND FIGHT ME!” THE CULTURE AND LEGACY OF UNITED STATES MARINES By W. Thomas Smith Jr. AS WE NEAR THE 245TH BIRTHDAY OF MY MARINE CORPS (about 12 days from now), I was thinking about why annual November 10 birthday celebrations and…

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Deputy retires, celebrates 90th birthday on same day

On May 5, 2020 by editorial staff

Story by W. Thomas Smith Jr. Photographs by Deputy III Cynthia Roldan COLUMBIA, S.C. – Forty-plus Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) patrol vehicles, including two RCSD motorcycles, assembled at Cardinal Newman High School in northeast Columbia before converging on the nearby Waterford…

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Sheriff Leon Lott interview WTBQ FM (New York-New Jersey) Apr. 29, 2020

On April 29, 2020 by editorial staff

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RCSD Aviation Support Unit flight 4222020

On April 23, 2020 by editorial staff

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Four-star General addresses AUSA in South Carolina

On January 30, 2020 by editorial staff

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gen. Carter Ham, the retired U.S. Army four-star who today serves as president of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), addressed members of AUSA’s Fort Jackson-Palmetto State Chapter during a reception, Wed….

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Gateway to the Army leaders meet to discuss Centennial Park

On January 9, 2020 by editorial staff

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. FORT JACKSON, S.C. – Members of the Gateway to the Army Association gathered, Tues, Jan. 7, on the site of Centennial Park at Fort Jackson to inspect and discuss the ongoing $2.7-million pavilion-amphitheater project. Construction has begun…

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Holidays not the time for less vigilance

On December 9, 2019 by editorial staff

By Sheriff Leon Lott We are in the midst of the holiday season when most of us more-deeply embrace that which we all want: “Peace on earth; good will toward men.” Unfortunately, those among us with more selfish, self-serving aims will capitalize…

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All treats, no tricks at Sheriff’s annual Halloween Bash

On November 2, 2019 by editorial staff

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COLUMBIA, S.C. – Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and approximately 150-175 deputies and employees of the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) celebrated Halloween with a barbeque lunch, lots of sweets, cookies, cakes, pastries, other treats and no…

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