The South Carolina Highway Patrol Welcomes 28 New Troopers

What this means

MEDIA: You can find more information, including the roster, press release, and individual trooper photos as well as award winners on our website here. COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Highway Patrol held a graduation ceremony today, welcoming 28 new troopers to its ranks. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster addressed the graduates with words of encouragement during his keynote address.

Official release

Source material from South Carolina Department of Public Safety. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Fri, 10/09/2026

MEDIA: You can find more information, including the roster, press release, and individual trooper photos as well as award winners on our website here.

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Highway Patrol held a graduation ceremony today, welcoming 28 new troopers to its ranks. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster addressed the graduates with words of encouragement during his keynote address.

SC Highway Patrol Class 132 includes 6 pre-certified officers and 22 who are new to the law enforcement profession. The addition of this graduating class brings the total number of troopers in South Carolina to 742.*

“We celebrate theses new troopers today, along with their families, for their achievement and their dedication to duty and service,” SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV said. “It is a privilege to welcome you all to the Highway Patrol, and the Department of Public Safety as a whole. As you formally begin your career as a trooper, remember that your service is valued and respected, and I thank you for your commitment to help protect the lives of those who live and travel through South Carolina.”

Troopers are assigned to areas based on several considerations, which include population density, the number of calls for service, and the number of licensed drivers/registered vehicles in an area. To see where the troopers from Class 132 are assigned, review the information in the link that includes their Troop assignments and photos: https://scdps.sc.gov/schp/classes.

Colonel Christopher Williamson, Commander of the SC Highway Patrol, offered words of inspiration to the graduates as they set out on their new careers:

“As I welcome you all to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, I want to remind you that the uniform and the badge are not given — they are earned. I am proud to say that after your hard work and training, you have earned the right to serve as South Carolina state troopers. And with that honor comes responsibility — the responsibility to uphold the standards of the Highway Patrol and to remain consistent, principled, and fair as you protect the communities you serve.”

Special awards from Class 132 include:

Major Israel Brooks Jr. Physical Fitness Award: Presented to the trooper who excelled on the physical training test and each day during the early morning exercises.

Class 132 Recipient: Vernon V. Miller Jr.

Captain Cecil Dilworth Marksmanship Award: Presented to the trooper who demonstrated the best marksmanship during firearms training.

Class 132 Recipient: Meenan J.K. Williams

Colonel P.F. Thompson Outstanding Achievement Award: For the trooper who displays the character and dedication symbolic of former Highway Patrol Colonel P.F. Thompson, the longest-serving SC Highway Patrol commander.

Class 132 Recipient: Madison B. Adams

For those interested in joining SCHP, please check out the qualifications to apply at https://joinschp.sc.gov.

*These numbers are from the latest report, and include the number of troopers in the field and in training. Additionally, this does not include any that were hired or resigned after October 6, 2026.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.

Release text attributed to South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.