South Carolina Highway Patrol Announces New Commander for Troop 6

For Immediate Release
August 11, 2026
Contact: Kyle McGahee, Office of Public Affairs, 803-896-8747

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has promoted Christopher M. Wooten to serve as commander of Troop 6 for the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Troop 6 includes Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, and Jasper counties.

A lifelong resident of the Lowcountry, Captain Wooten has served as the Troop 6 Lieutenant since 2023. He was named commander of Troop 6 to succeed Dennis Boniecki, who retires August 15 after nearly 29 years of service to the SC Highway Patrol and four years in the role as Troop 6 commander.  

Captain Wooten has more than 27 years of law enforcement experience with the Highway Patrol, joining as a trooper in 1999, and serving his entire career in Troop 6. He ascended the ranks over the years and possesses significant and critical experience with hurricane response and planning, including coastal evacuation and lane reversal operations.

“Captain Wooten has demonstrated leadership ability throughout his career with the Highway Patrol,” South Carolina Highway Patrol Colonel Christopher N. Williamson said. “He has spent his life and his career in the Lowcountry, which means his institutional knowledge, leadership experience, and familiarity with the responsibilities of that part of our state will be a tremendous asset as he assumes this new role.”   

A native of Goose Creek, Captain Wooten graduated from Goose Creek High School and he completed the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Association program. He currently resides in Goose Creek with his wife Jessica. They have three children and are members of Crowfield Baptist Church.  

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.