Strom Thurmond Awards

U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins’ Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee hosted the annual Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement Luncheon today at Fort Jackson Officers' Club, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint was the keynote speaker at the awards banquet.

The following South Carolina law enforcement officers received the 2008 awards:
City - Chief A. Keith Morton, Fountain Inn Police Department
County - Herman W. Young, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office
Federal - Senior Resident Agent Vincent R. Flamini, Federal Bureau of Investigation
State - Senior Agent Jeffrey L. Kindley, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

The Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement were established by Senator Strom Thurmond in 1983 to recognize law enforcement officers whose performances demonstrate the highest ideals of excellence in professional law enforcement. An annual award is given in each of four categories: (1) City Officer; (2) County Officer; (3) State Officer; and (4) Federal Officer. An awards committee composed of representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Strom Thurmond Foundation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with a police chief and sheriff selected the recipients from nominations received from across the state.

In presenting the awards, United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated, "It is my great privilege to recognize these four outstanding officers. Each of these gentlemen exemplify the best in law enforcement in South Carolina: integrity, character, hard work, and sacrifice. They have represented their respective agencies and law enforcement in general with honor and distinction. These officers have not only distinguished themselves within the law enforcement circles in which they work, but also in the communities in which they live. It is this genuine commitment to serving fellow South Carolinians that Senator Thurmond envisioned when he created these awards. I am extremely proud to be able to recognize their very valuable contributions to the safety and quality of life for all South Carolinians."