Laurens County Officials Sworn In During Ceremony at Courthouse
January 8, 2025
The main courtroom of the Laurens County Courthouse was filled to capacity on the evening of Tuesday, January 7, as the community gathered for the swearing-in ceremony of recently elected officials. The event, which began at 6 p.m., marked the start of new terms for several leaders in Laurens County and the first for several others..
The Honorable Judge Hocker presided over the ceremony, administering the oaths of office to the following officials:
- Sheriff Don Reynolds: Entering his third term as Laurens County Sheriff, Reynolds continues his commitment to law enforcement and community safety.
- Clerk of Court Michelle Simmons: Simmons begins her second term, overseeing the judicial records and processes of Laurens County.
- Coroner Patti Canupp: Canupp continues her service in the coroner’s office now as Coroner, providing vital leadership in investigative and medical inquiries.
- County Council Members: Shirley Clark (District 3), Matthew Brownlee (District 2), and Justin Lane (District 7) took their oaths, pledging to represent the county’s interests in their respective districts.
In addition to the individual officials, deputies for both the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office were sworn in as a group, further reinforcing the teams that support county operations.
Not sworn in during the ceremony was Arthur Lee Philson (County Council District 6). At his discretion, Judge Hocker chose not to swear in Philson due to an ongoing investigation into his residency and eligibility to serve. The Laurens County Election Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on the matter on Friday, January 10, to address the issue.
The ceremony highlighted the dedication of Laurens County’s elected officials and their teams as they prepare to serve the community in the coming term.
