Retired deputies gather for annual luncheon

By W. Thomas Smith Jr.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Retired Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) deputies and other officers gathered together at the former Denny Terrace Elementary School cafeteria – today it is part of the RCSD Region 3 headquarters facility – for the 20th annual RCSD Retirees Luncheon, Mon. Mar. 12.

RCSD Sheriff Leon Lott, who has hosted the informal luncheon every year since the first gathering in 1998, presented gifts to all in attendance and recognized several deputies and officers, including those active, retired and former officers who had passed away the previous year.

The Sheriff discussed new RCSD initiatives, efforts coordinated with other police agencies, the recent successes of the department’s Cold Case Unit and the success of A&E’s hit television series LIVE PD; including Friday evening’s 100th episode party at A.C. Flora High School. The RCSD is one of six regularly-featured law-enforcement agencies on LIVE PD.

Lott also encouraged all retirees to “look out for” their fellow retired and former deputies.

“We are all family, and we need to reach out to and care for one another as a family,” Lott said. “If you know of someone who used to serve in the department and is now struggling in some way, don’t let them deal with whatever they are dealing with alone. Let us know. There are always ways we can help someone out, financially, medically and mentally if they need it. They’re part of our family.”

The luncheon was catered by Hudson’s Smokehouse of Lexington.