A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR STAN SMITH, DEPUTY CHIEF OF INVESTIGATIONS OF THE RICHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Stan Smith will begin a well-deserved retirement on February 15, 2024, after thirty-seven years with the Richland County Sheriff's Department (RCSD), the last seven of which have been as the highly regarded deputy chief of investigations; and

Whereas, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in criminal justice in 1983 and began serving as a deputy sheriff in the RCSD in 1984. He became a training officer for the Patrol Division Field Training in 1985; and

Whereas, Deputy Chief Smith rose through the ranks of the department as an investigator in the Burglary Unit from 1987 to 1989, corporal of the Burglary Unit from 1989 to 1991, and a sergeant of the Burglary Unit RCSD from 1991 to 1996; and

Whereas, from late 1996 to 1999, he took leave from the RCSD to serve as the original general manager of Security Management of South Carolina, which is still in operation as a thriving business; and

Whereas, Deputy Chief Smith returned to RCSD in 1999 and was an investigator assigned to the Special Victims Unit of RCSD until December 2000. He began a strong rise through the ranks as sergeant of the Major Crime Unit until 2001, lieutenant of the Major Crime Unit until 2004, captain of the Major Crime until 2011, and major of Criminal Investigations until 2016 when he was named deputy chief of investigations; and

Whereas, as the deputy chief of investigations, he has supervised all of the Criminal Investigations Division, including the management of approximately one hundred eighty-five individuals involved in the investigation of crime and the apprehension those committing criminal acts; and

Whereas, his exemplary service as been honored with numerous commendations: the 1990 State of Maryland Victim Assistance Award for involvement in the case of a murder of a Columbia Bible College graduate student; the 2004 Officer of the Year at RCSD; a 2003 Certificate of Appreciation from United States Secret Service for involvement in the investigation of a complex fraud ring; the 2005 Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement for  County agency; the 2005 Medal of Valor from the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association for involvement in an armed robbery in progress where two arrests were made; a 2010 Law Enforcement Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding public service from American Legion post #182; and

Whereas, together with his beloved wife of thirty-nine years, Tammy Peeples Smith, he has reared three fine adult children: Matthew and twins Sarah and Nicole. He attends Lexington Baptist Church and is thankful to see the continuation of his loving family legacy in two affectionate grandchildren, Isabella and Sawyer; and

Whereas, grateful for his many years of distinguished service to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Stan Smith as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead, and the members wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Stan Smith, Deputy Chief of Investigations of the Richland County Sheriff's Department, upon the occasion of his retirement after thirty-seven years of outstanding service, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Deputy Chief Stan Smith.

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