At the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, some careers begin with a calling, others with curiosity. For Deputy Torrell Jones, it started as an Explorer.

Long before he wore the badge, Jones was learning the rhythm of the profession from the outside looking in, observing the discipline and beginning to understand what service truly meant. The Explorer program gave him more than exposure. It gave him direction, turning early interest into a clear and steady commitment.

That commitment carried him through the academy and into patrol, where he built his foundation as a deputy. Along the way, another goal quietly took shape: joining the K-9 unit.

Becoming a K-9 handler is not simply a promotion. It is a responsibility that demands patience, precision and trust, along with the ability to remain calm and decisive in high-pressure situations. Jones worked toward that opportunity with consistent determination, gaining experience, proving himself on the road and demonstrating the kind of leadership the role requires. When the opportunity came, he was ready.

At the other end of Deputy Jones’ lead is K-9 Doc, a highly trained partner with a clear purpose. On the training field, Doc operates with focus, intensity and discipline. In the community, he represents professionalism and approachability. Together, Jones and Doc train relentlessly to sharpen their skills in tracking, apprehension, obedience and detection.

Beyond the certifications and capabilities, their strength lies in partnership. A K-9 team must move as one unit, built on trust and communication that often requires no words at all. That bond is developed over time through repetition, shared experience and an understanding that each depends on the other in critical moments.

Recently, Deputy Jones’ dedication was formally recognized with a nomination for Lexington County Employee of the Quarter. Recognition like this reflects more than performance. It speaks to consistency, work ethic, leadership and a commitment to excellence that others see and respect.

From his early days as an Explorer to standing alongside K-9 Doc today, Jones represents what growth within an agency can look like when opportunity meets preparation.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is built on service, protection and partnership with the community, and K-9 teams are a vital extension of that mission. They assist in locating missing persons, tracking suspects and enhancing officer safety, providing capabilities that technology alone cannot replicate.

Deputy Jones and K-9 Doc represent that mission in motion. Their work takes place in early mornings and late nights, in controlled training environments and unpredictable real-world situations, often requiring both courage and composure at the same time.

For Deputy Jones, the journey from Explorer to K-9 handler is more than a career path. It is proof that dedication creates opportunity and that service leaves a lasting impact.

And for the community, it means knowing that behind every call for help stands a team built on trust and purpose.

A deputy. A K-9. A partnership that protects.

To anyone considering a career where you can make a meaningful difference while serving your community, we would love to hear from you. Explore current opportunities at www.joinlcsd.com to learn more and apply.

Most people think child abuse prevention starts when something goes wrong. In reality, it begins much earlier, long before a crisis ever occurs. That shift in thinking is not just important, it is essential if we want to create lasting change in 2026 and beyond.

Why April matters

April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time for communities to come together and reaffirm a shared responsibility to protect children and strengthen families. While awareness is a key part of this month, it cannot stop there. The real purpose is to inspire action. That action takes many forms. It means supporting parents when they are overwhelmed, educating caregivers so they feel confident and prepared, and creating environments in which children feel safe, stable and supported. When we focus on prevention, we begin to shift the conversation away from reacting to harm and toward building a culture where children feel secure, valued and heard every single day.

We’ve been focused on the wrong stage

For too long, our systems have been designed to respond after something has already gone wrong. We step in during moments of crisis, working hard to repair damage and support recovery. While that work is critical, it is not enough on its own. True prevention happens earlier. It is about creating the conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm in the first place. This means paying attention to families before they reach a breaking point and ensuring they have the support they need to navigate everyday challenges.

What prevention actually means

Prevention is often misunderstood as something complex or specialized, but at its core, it is quite simple. It is about making sure families are supported in practical, meaningful ways. This can look like a parent having someone they trust to call when things feel overwhelming, or a family having reliable access to food, housing and childcare. It can be a neighbor offering help without judgment, or a community creating spaces where children feel seen and safe. When families are supported, children are safer. That is the foundation of prevention.

The three levels of prevention

Prevention happens across three levels, each serving a different purpose but working together to support families.

Primary prevention focuses on everyone, before any problems arise. It includes education, access to resources and building strong, connected communities. This is where the greatest long-term impact can be made because it reduces risk before it develops.

Secondary prevention focuses on families that might be at higher risk. It involves stepping in early with additional support to prevent challenges from escalating into more serious situations.

Tertiary prevention takes place after harm has already occurred. It focuses on recovery and ensuring the same harm does not happen again.

While all three levels are important, most systems currently spend the majority of their time and resources on tertiary prevention. If we want to see meaningful change, we need to invest much more heavily in primary prevention, where we can have the greatest impact.

The data is clear

In South Carolina, 62% of adults report experiencing at least one adverse childhood experience, often referred to as an ACE. These experiences can include trauma, instability or loss, and they can have lasting effects on a child’s development. ACEs can influence how a child’s brain develops, how they respond to stress and their long-term physical and mental health. However, this is only part of the story. Research also shows positive experiences can significantly reduce these effects. A single supportive adult, a safe environment or a consistent and caring relationship can make a meaningful difference in a child’s life. These protective factors help build resilience and create better outcomes over time.

Strong families = safer children

Children are safest when families are strong, and families are strongest when they are supported by the communities around them. This is why prevention must focus not just on individuals, but on the broader systems that shape daily life. Instead of asking how we fix problems after they occur, we need to shift our thinking. The better question is how we can support families early enough that those problems are less likely to happen at all.

Prevention is the smartest investment

Prevention is not only the most compassionate approach, it is also the most practical. It is more cost-effective than responding after harm occurs, easier to scale across communities and more effective at creating long-term stability for families. Despite this, prevention is often overlooked. One of the reasons is when prevention works, it is quiet. It does not draw attention because it looks as though nothing happened. In reality, that “nothing” represents families staying stable, children feeling safe and crises being avoided entirely.

What needs to change in 2026

If we want to create real change, we believe we should treat family support as essential infrastructure. It should not be difficult to find or access help. It should be built into communities in a way that is consistent, visible and easy to use. This means connecting families to resources more quickly, making support systems easier to navigate and building stronger networks so that no parent feels alone. Efforts like SC Parents are already moving in this direction by bringing together tools, guidance and support in one accessible place.

What you can do

Prevention is not limited to professionals or organizations. Everyone has a role to play, and small actions can have a significant impact when they are repeated across a community. Checking in on a parent who might be struggling, offering help without being asked, supporting organizations that focus on prevention and simply talking more openly about these issues all contribute to stronger, safer communities.

Why the pinwheel matters

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, you will see pinwheels displayed in communities, including in front of our headquarters in Lexington. While they might seem simple, they carry an important meaning. They represent the kind of childhood every child deserves: one that is safe, stable and supported. They serve as a reminder of what prevention is ultimately about.