State Transport Police Welcomes 17 New Officers, Three New Auditors in Graduation Ceremony

For Immediate Release
August 16, 2024
Contact: Kyle McGahee, Office of Public Affairs, 803-896-8747

Media: Photos from the ceremony will be posted to the SC Department of Public Safety’s online photo album and SCDPS Facebook page. Please continue to check for updates.

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina State Transport Police held a graduation ceremony today for 17 new officers, as well as three new auditors for the Motor Carrier Compliance unit. This graduating class includes 10 pre-certified officers and seven new to the profession. These recruits come from all areas of the state, as well as from other states such as Missouri, New York, and North Carolina.

A division of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, STP is primarily responsible for enforcing state and federal laws governing commercial motor vehicle traffic.

“It is an honor to welcome the latest graduating class to STP and the broader family of DPS as a whole,” SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods, IV said. “As officers, they have chosen a selfless and often challenging line of work. We are grateful they have risen to the challenge and I look forward to seeing them excel in this profession.”

New STP officers attend and graduate from Basic Training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Each officer then goes on to complete more specialized commercial motor vehicle training. The total training time for a new STP officer is nine months. Training includes basic law enforcement; size and weight enforcement; hazardous materials regulations; conducting safety inspections; and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.

“Words can only begin to describe how proud I am of these exemplary individuals,” said Colonel Dwayne D. Wilson, STP commander. “As Colonel, I have the unique opportunity to see firsthand the tireless work the men and women of STP put in on a daily basis. I am confident that these graduates will make an invaluable addition to our team and continue to make us proud.”

This year’s STP graduates include:
(Click on name for portraits)

Region 1 (Columbia):

Master Officer D. Mitchell, Hometown: Ravenel, SC
Officer D.E. Lucas, Hometown: West Columbia, SC

Region 2 (Greenwood):

Master Officer W.G. Kay, Hometown: Honea Path, SC
Officer M.A. Hodge, Hometown: Greenwood, SC
Officer C.A. Moore, Hometown: Greenwood, SC
Officer C.S. Salters, Hometown: Hodges, SC

Region 3 (Greenville):

Master Officer T.B. Thrasher, Hometown: Pickens, SC
Officer J.T. Kirk, Hometown: Lake Saint Louis, MO
Officer W.W. Tuttle, Hometown: Chesnee, SC

Region 4 (Rock Hill):

Senior Officer A.W. Lynch, Hometown: Lexington, NC

Region 5 (Florence):

Master Officer K.T. Brigman, Hometown: Bennettsville, SC
Lance Corporal R.B. King, Hometown: Mullins, SC

Region 6 (Dorchester):

Lance Corporal R.C. Lonchar, Hometown: Aiken, SC
Senior Officer K.S. Fair, Hometown: Summerville, SC
Officer First Class M.A. Fisher, Hometown: Bohemia, NY
Officer First Class C.A. Molina, Hometown: Sumter, SC
Officer M.S. White, Hometown: Greenwood, SC

Motor Carrier Compliance Unit

Auditor C.E. Bridwell, Hometown: Travelers Rest, SC
Auditor B.T Hornsby, Hometown: Blythewood, SC
Auditor B.S. Johnson, Hometown: Columbia, SC

Special awards and recognitions included:
Colonel Leroy Taylor Distinguished Graduate Award: Presented to the STP graduate with the highest GPA in all state and federal courses.

Officer J.T. Kirk, (Region 3)

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.