Category: Uncategorized

‘Spurs Up’ shadow day: From the classroom to the field with USC

What does a career in law enforcement actually look like beyond the patrol car? For University of South Carolina students, one day this fall offers a chance to find out firsthand.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department will once again host students through USC‘s “Spurs Up” shadow day program. We sat down with Sgt. Dan Rusinyak, who schedules the day’s agenda, to talk about what students can expect and why the day matters.

Bridging the gap between classroom and workplace

This year marks the department’s fourth time partnering with USC on the event, and LCSD was one of the first agencies to take part.

“This event allows us to help students with career exploration and to bridge that gap between classroom and workplace by allowing those students to experience various professions in a real-world environment.”

The day runs from about 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Deputies from specialized units, including major crimes, crime scene investigations, victim advocacy and the drone team, spend time with students, sharing what their work involves and answering questions.

More than what you see on the road

For Sgt. Rusinyak, the value of the day goes beyond a tour of the department. It’s a chance for students to see the people behind the badge.

“It really fosters very good relationships with them to let them know that we are more than just what they see on the road in marked patrol cars. Programs such as internships, ride-alongs and job shadows really do help us with being more human.”

Hearing it from current interns

One of the highlights of the day comes from students just like them. Three of the department’s current interns, usually from the visiting school, share what they’ve done and learned during their time with LCSD. Sgt. Rusinyak then walks students through what the internship program involves.

Interested students can apply for spring, summer or fall internships. Many college programs require an internship to graduate, but Sgt. Rusinyak says plenty of students apply even when it isn’t required, because they know the experience is invaluable.

During an internship, students can go on ride-alongs, spend time with major crimes investigators and special operations, and see how the department serves the community day to day.

From shadow day to a career

The results speak for themselves. “Spurs Up” shadow day has led to internships and, for some students, full-time careers.

“We have done very well with having these USC students go from ‘Spurs Up’ shadow day to internship and then segue right into employment. We actually just hired three from ‘Spurs Up.'”

Discovering Lexington County

Many USC students come from out of state and spend most of their time on campus in the heart of Columbia. Crossing the river into Lexington County can be an eye-opening experience.

“To come over here to Lexington County and see what we have to offer, they see just how amazing the county is. They can see the Sheriff’s Department and what we have to offer, they can see the county and all the resources that we have. It’s really a win-win.”

How to get involved

USC students who want to attend ‘Spurs Up’ shadow day Oct. 29 can register through the USC Career Center on Handshake. USC criminal justice students can also ask their professors for more information.

Students interested in an internship, or anyone curious about a career with the department, can contact Sgt. Rusinyak at drusinyak@lcsd.sc.gov.

Ready to explore what’s next? Visit JoinLCSD.com to learn more about careers with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Recent Blogs

Recent Jobs

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: The call nobody wants to make, and why it matters that someone answers

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For most of us, it passes as a purple ribbon on a lapel or a post in a feed. For the deputies, investigators and victim advocates of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, it is a reminder of the calls that come in every week of the year, from homes on quiet streets that look, from the outside, exactly like everyone else’s.

Domestic violence is the crime most likely to happen behind a closed door and least likely to be reported the first time. This month, we want to talk openly about what it looks like, what happens when someone in Lexington County calls for help, and what every one of us can do for a neighbor, a coworker or a family member who is living with it.

What the numbers say

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 6 men in the United States will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. It cuts across every income level, every neighborhood and every background.

South Carolina carries a heavier share than most. According to the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the state records roughly 30,000 cases of intimate partner violence each year, and in 2024 alone 59 people in South Carolina were killed by a partner or family member. For 23 of the past 25 years, South Carolina has ranked among the ten states with the highest rates of women killed by men.

Those are not statistics about somewhere else. Lexington County is home to more than 300,000 people, and the math is simple: some of them are reading this while living with it.

How Lexington County handles it differently

When the Charleston Post and Courier published its Pulitzer Prize-winning series “Till Death Do Us Part” on domestic violence in South Carolina, it described the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department as the lone bright spot in a state full of problems. That reputation was earned by investigators who follow up on every case, prosecutors who take them seriously and crime prevention officers who work to stop the next one before it happens.

It is also earned every day by the department’s Victims Assistance unit. Advocates review incident reports daily and reach out to victims directly, by phone or by mail, so no one has to navigate what comes next alone. They provide crisis intervention, help with orders of protection, guidance through the court process, referrals to specialized agencies and assistance with victim compensation. Their number is 803-785-8230, and calling it does not require you to have made a report yet.

What happens when you call

The most common reason people give for not calling is that they do not know what will happen if they do. Here is what to expect.

A deputy will respond and make sure everyone in the home is safe first. They will speak with each person separately, document any injuries and, if there is evidence a crime has been committed, make an arrest. In South Carolina, domestic violence charges are based on the severity of the incident, not on how many times it has happened before, so a first call can still lead to real consequences.

From there, a victim advocate follows up. You will be told when an arrest has been made and when the person is released, and you can register with SC SAVIN, the state’s free 24-hour notification service, at 1-866-727-2846 so you are never caught off guard.

What you will not get is judgment. Deputies respond to these calls constantly. They know how hard it is to make one, and they know that the first call is rarely the first incident.

Help is available tonight, not just in October

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If you need someone to talk to, a safety plan or a place to go, Sistercare serves Lexington County with emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy and legal help, all confidential and free of charge. Their 24-hour crisis line is 803-765-9428.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available around the clock at 1-800-799-7233, or by texting START to 88788, and can connect you with resources anywhere in the country.

Every one of these services will talk to you whether or not you have decided to leave, and whether or not you have decided to involve law enforcement.

What the rest of us can do

Most people will never be the one calling 911 about their own home. Almost everyone, at some point, will know someone who should. Awareness is not a ribbon; it is knowing what to look for and what to do.

Watch for the signs. A friend who has stopped coming around, who checks in constantly with a partner, who has unexplained injuries or explains them too quickly, who has lost access to money, a car or a phone. None of these alone means abuse. Together, they are worth a conversation.

Say something, gently. “I’ve noticed you seem stressed lately. Is everything okay at home?” is enough. Do not push, do not give ultimatums and do not confront the abuser. Let them know you believe them and that you will help when they are ready.

Keep the numbers handy. Sistercare, the National Hotline and LCSD Victims Assistance are listed above. Saving them in your phone means you can pass them along without having to search for them in a hard moment.

And if you hear something happening next door, call 911. You do not have to be sure. Let a deputy find out.

Ready to answer the call yourself?

The deputies and advocates who respond to these calls chose this work because they believe someone should. If that sounds like you, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is hiring. Our team is built on four values: professionalism, compassion, honesty and relationships, and there are few places those values matter more than at the door of a home where someone has finally asked for help.

Visit JoinLCSD.com to learn more about a career with us and become part of a department that has been answering the call in Lexington County for more than 200 years.

Recent Blogs

Recent Jobs

National First Responders Appreciation Day: Showing up for our community on their hardest days

National First Responders Appreciation Day, observed each year on Sept. 27, gives everyone a chance to pause and think about something we often take for granted: the quiet confidence that when we call for help, someone will answer.

National First Responders Appreciation Day is a nationwide effort to honor the men and women who run toward danger when others run away. It reminds us public safety is not just a profession, a shift or a uniform. Public safety is a calling. It’s about the patrol deputies, firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers and detention deputies who step into the unknown every single day to protect the lives and livelihoods of people they have never met.

For communities, families and public safety agencies, this is an important time to talk openly about the vital role these dedicated professionals play in our daily lives. From managing critical incidents on our roads to providing lifesaving medical care in a crisis, their work demands a rare combination of skill, courage and compassion. Each shift they work points to the same truth: a strong, resilient community is built on the shoulders of those willing to serve.

More than 200 years of answering the call

Here in Lexington County, that tradition of service runs deeper than most people realize. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department traces its roots back more than two centuries, to 1806, when Thomas S. Herbert became the county’s first recorded sheriff. What began as a single lawman serving a rural county has grown into a modern public safety agency serving more than 300,000 residents.

Today’s LCSD looks nothing like the one-person operation of the early 1800s, but the mission has never changed: be there when your neighbors need you. That mission now spans patrol deputies working 12-hour shifts around the clock, school resource officers walking the halls with our kids, a K-9 unit, a dive team, marine patrol on our lakes and rivers, crime scene investigators, detention deputies and the judicial services team that quietly handles thousands of warrants and civil process requests every year. Every one of those roles exists for the same reason: someone, somewhere in Lexington County, is going to need help today.

A commitment that goes beyond the shift

Most people only see first responders when something goes wrong, but their service to our community is a constant presence. Whether they’re patrolling our neighborhoods, teaching safety classes in our schools, monitoring our roads or answering emergency calls in the middle of the night, first responders are always working to keep us safe.

Being a first responder means carrying a unique kind of weight. It means showing up with focus and professionalism during a crisis, even when the situation is difficult or unpredictable. It means putting the needs of others ahead of their own comfort, safety and peace of mind.

Behind every badge, patch and radio transmission is a person. They’re our neighbors, our friends, our youth sports coaches and our family members. They’re individuals who make the conscious choice to stand between our community and harm, knowing the demands of the job are high.

How we can show our support

Community members don’t have to wait for an emergency to show our appreciation. There are simple, everyday choices to support first responders.

When you see emergency lights on the road, slow down and move over safely. When you hear a siren, yield the right of way immediately. Simple actions such as keeping your eyes on the road, avoiding distractions and driving responsibly make the work of first responders much safer.

A simple thank you can also make a real difference. Showing appreciation for a first responder can be as easy as offering a friendly wave, writing a note of thanks or simply acknowledging their presence in our community.

Service is about being there when it matters most

In Lexington County, National First Responders Appreciation Day is an opportunity to renew our appreciation for the people who stand ready to help us at a moment’s notice. Whether they are responding to a medical emergency, managing a critical scene or working behind the scenes to keep our operations running smoothly, their dedication keeps us strong.

A safe, thriving community is built on trust, respect and mutual support. This Sept. 27, let’s use National First Responders Appreciation Day as a reminder to thank the men and women who dedicate their lives to public service.

Ready to answer the call yourself?

If you’re interested in stepping up to become a first responder and serving the Lexington County community, we have opportunities available at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Our team is built on four values: professionalism, compassion, honesty and relationships. If those words just mean more to you, you’re exactly the kind of person we’d like to talk with.

Visit JoinLCSD.com to learn more about a career with us — and become part of a tradition of service that’s been answering the call in Lexington County for more than 200 years.

Recent Blogs

Recent Jobs

A new school year, a familiar face: Why Deputy Hannah Barr became a school resource officer

The first bell of the new school year has rung across Lexington County. New backpacks, new teachers, new schedules — and in the hallways, some new faces wearing a badge. One of them belongs to School Resource Officer Hannah Barr, and for her, those hallways are closer to home than most: her own children are students in the very district she’s now serving.

This school year, Barr steps into a new role as a school resource officer — a sworn deputy of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department whose beat isn’t a stretch of highway, but a school: its students, staff and the families behind them. Her road to that hallway is a story about community; and it starts on the other side of the radio.

The other side of the radio

Before the badge, there was a headset. Barr began her public safety career in 2018 as a dispatcher, the calm voice guiding deputies to the calls she couldn’t yet run herself.

“I absolutely loved dispatching — I would go back dispatching — but I’ve grown to love law enforcement more. I didn’t realize how much more I would love it on this side than on that side of the radio.”

In September 2025 she joined the Sheriff’s Department, graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in January and went straight to patrol answering calls across the county she was born and raised in.

‘Not in my cards’

If you ask her whether she always planned to work in schools, she’s honest: no.

“Initially, I didn’t think being an SRO was in my cards. But after learning more about being an SRO and being around the SROs this past summer and spring break, I quickly learned that it would fit better with my family and my home life. My children are in the district as students themselves.”

That’s the part that makes this move different. When the bell rings, SRO Barr won’t just be watching over Lexington County’s students, she’ll be one of the parents in the pickup line too.

What the road taught her

Her patrol duties provided a crash course in the skill every SRO leans on most: connection.

“As a deputy on the road, you don’t have a choice but to talk to people. You get out on these calls on your own, you’re face-to-face and you have to build rapport very easily. Sometimes it’s a little harder to build that with children, because they’re looking at you in a different light — but I’ve been to calls with children involved and that’s definitely going to help me out a lot.”

She’ll miss the road, and she doesn’t pretend otherwise. The 10-plus people she meets every shift, the calls, the getting out there. But the connections aren’t stopping. They’re just moving indoors.

A goal for the new school year

Barr’s goal for year one isn’t complicated and that’s what makes it good.

“At the end of the day, they’re going to be our future. Having a connection with these students early on as a police officer shows them we’re here to help.”

It’s the same philosophy behind programs across the department, from the Community Action Team to National Night Out — where deputies and the neighbors they serve connect face-to-face.

‘Just start’

Not even a year separates Barr from her own first step into law enforcement. So her advice for anyone weighing the same move, SRO in the cards or not, comes fresh:

“Just start. The hardest part is starting. There are always going to be pros and cons and people coming at you from different directions, but until you’re in it yourself, you won’t be able to make that true decision. Just start and figure out if it’s for you.”

If that sounds like you, the department is hiring. You can explore openings at joinLCSD.com. Students curious about the career can start even earlier through the Law Enforcement Explorers Program.

This school year, SRO Barr begins her next chapter in the county where her story started — from the dispatch desk, to the patrol car, to the hallway. Different beat, same mission: showing up for the community she grew up in and for the students who are its future.

Recent Blogs

Recent Jobs

Why 3 USC grads chose a career at Lexington County

Every year, thousands of students walk across the stage at the University of South Carolina and step into the job market. While many of them go to work in offices, schools, laboratories and hospitals, a few head somewhere very different.

This spring, three of them — Annabella Loscalzo, Kendra Welehorsky and Klaire Petersen — traded their caps and gowns for a career with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. They came from different states and different reasons, but they all landed in the same place: standing at the start of their training, ready to serve.

If you’re a student wondering whether a career in law enforcement is for you, their paths are worth knowing.

It usually starts small

For Annabella, it started in front of a TV.

“I grew up watching Hawaii Five-O as a kid, and I would say that’s really what sprung my interest,” she said.

That early curiosity turned into two years interning with LCSD — enough time to know this wasn’t a passing phase. When she moved to South Carolina in 2022 for college, she started hitting the career fairs, and one booth changed everything: the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department was tabling, she got to talking and she came on board.

Annabella’s route had a fork in it. She came from Tampa, Florida, to study criminology and criminal justice at USC, and for a while she thought she might go to law school. Then her internship happened.

“I started the internship and I kind of veered away from that, because I really wanted to do what my heart wanted to do.”

The moment that clinched it? Time spent with the K-9 unit.

“Just learning from them a different type of policing… and the good mentorship I had from their whole team.”

Kendra knew even earlier.

“I’ve wanted to be a law enforcement officer since I was a kid, like 13 years old,” she said.

Internships only sharpened it. One of those was at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, where a longtime instructor — someone who’d worked at Lexington County for more than 30 years — became a mentor and talked to her constantly about the department. His stories, and everything he told her, sealed it.

Why Lexington County, specifically

Here’s the part prospective recruits should pay attention to: all three could have gone anywhere. They chose LCSD.

The reputation of the department came up again and again.

Klaire had “heard good things about the department from some of [her] friends who interned [there].”

Kendra heard the same thing from a different angle — at the Criminal Justice Academy, she noticed recruits coming out of Lexington County consistently posted strong academic scores.

“I want to make sure I’m prepped for when I get on the street. I want to make sure I know what I’m doing.”

For Annabella, it was also about belonging. She wanted to step out of her comfort zone, do “something bigger than myself” — and she found a place that felt like home. Turns out the people helped.

“The people here are even friendlier than they are in Florida,” she said, laughing.

The hiring process might surprise you

If the word “application” makes you picture a black hole where resumes disappear, these three would push back. The process, they said, was refreshingly human.

“During the hiring process I was really surprised by the smoothness and efficiency of it,” one of them notes. Yes, there are a lot of steps — you get an email that lays them all out — but it moves. “I never felt like I wasn’t being responded to.”

And once training started, another surprise.

“A lot of the time when you think of police training, you think it’s super serious and stoic, and no one wants to know who you are. But people really want to get to know you — where you came from, why you want to be here — and really help you succeed.”

What they’re building toward

Ask them about five years from now and you hear ambition, not just idealism. Specialized units, task forces, roads they haven’t driven yet. But underneath all of it is a simpler idea about what the job is really for.

“A big part of policing is the trust the community has in us,” one said. “Without people talking to us, it’s really hard to do our job.”

Their generation, they point out, grew up alongside the shift toward community-based policing — reaching out, making connections, rebuilding trust and being there for people “on their worst days.”

Your path could start the same way

Annabella found her opening at a career fair. Klaire found hers through classmates. Kendra found hers by following her gut during an internship. None of them had it all figured out at 22 — they just took the next step.

If you’re a student, a recent grad or someone ready for work that means something, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department wants to meet you. Strong training, a team that invests in you and a career where your day-to-day actually matters.

Ready to take your next step? Visit Join LCSD to learn about internships and openings.

 

Recent Blogs

Recent Jobs

Look Before You Lock: Heat Safety Tips That Can Save a Life

South Carolina summers bring dangerously high temperatures, making heat safety especially important for families, caregivers and community members. While many people understand the risks of spending too much time outdoors in extreme heat, they may not realize how quickly the inside of a parked vehicle can become deadly.

According to the South Carolina Pediatric Alliance, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can increase nearly 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, even when the windows are cracked. Parking in the shade or cracking the windows does very little to slow the heating process and does not make it safe to leave a child, vulnerable adult or pet inside.

Why Children Are Especially Vulnerable

Children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults’ bodies, making infants and toddlers especially susceptible to heat-related illness. Heatstroke begins when the body’s core temperature reaches approximately 104 degrees and can become fatal when it reaches 107 degrees.

Adults can also experience heatstroke, particularly older adults and people with certain medical conditions, but young children may reach a dangerous body temperature much more quickly.

The South Carolina Pediatric Alliance reports that more than 1,040 children in the United States have died from vehicular heatstroke since records began in 1998. Approximately 54 percent of those children were younger than 2 years old. More than half of these tragedies occurred because a caregiver unknowingly forgot that a child was still in the vehicle.

South Carolina has also experienced several preventable hot car deaths in recent years, including cases in Richland, Berkeley, Spartanburg, Colleton, Dillon and Williamsburg counties. These tragedies are an important reminder that leaving a child in a vehicle can happen to anyone and that developing a consistent routine is essential.

Make “Stop. Look. Lock.” a Habit

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department encourages parents and caregivers to follow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Stop. Look. Lock.” campaign every time they park.

Parents and caregivers can take several simple precautions:

  • Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for “just a minute.”
  • Check the front and back seats before walking away.
  • Place an essential item, such as a purse, briefcase, work badge or cell phone, in the back seat so you must open the rear door before leaving.
  • Place a stuffed animal in the front passenger seat whenever a child is riding in the back as a visual reminder.
  • Keep vehicles locked when they are not in use.
  • Store keys and key fobs out of children’s reach.
  • Teach children that vehicles are not safe places to play.

Changes in routine, distractions, exhaustion and stress can increase the risk of a caregiver unintentionally leaving a child behind. Building these safeguards into every trip can help prevent a momentary mistake from becoming a tragedy.

What to Do if You See a Child Alone in a Vehicle

Bystanders can play a critical role in preventing a hot car death. If you see a child alone inside a parked vehicle:

  1. Call 911 immediately.
  2. Stay with the vehicle until first responders arrive.
  3. Tell the emergency dispatcher if the child appears distressed, unresponsive or unusually sleepy.
  4. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
  5. If it can be done safely and legally under the circumstances, remove the child from the vehicle and begin cooling them while waiting for emergency medical personnel.

Never assume someone else has already called for help. Minutes matter during a heat-related emergency.

Know the Warning Signs of Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Warning signs may include:

  • A body temperature of 104 degrees or higher
  • Hot, red skin
  • Confusion or changes in mental state
  • Slurred speech
  • A rapid pulse
  • Severe headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness

Call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of heatstroke. Move the person to a cooler location and begin cooling them while waiting for emergency medical personnel. Do not give fluids to someone who is unconscious or unable to drink safely.

Staying Safe During Hot Weather

Heat-related illness can happen outside a vehicle as well. Residents should take precautions during periods of extreme heat by:

  • Drinking plenty of water throughout the day
  • Wearing lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing
  • Limiting strenuous activity during the hottest hours of the day
  • Taking frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning
  • Checking on children, older adults and neighbors who may be especially vulnerable
  • Learning the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Heat exhaustion may cause heavy sweating, weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea or muscle cramps. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should move to a cool place, rest and drink water. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or do not improve.

LCSD’s Commitment to Prevention

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department works to prevent hot car incidents through public education, school outreach, community events and seasonal safety messaging. Deputies also respond immediately to reports of children left unattended in vehicles.

LCSD has deputies certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians through the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Program. These deputies are trained to correctly install and inspect child safety seats and educate families about child passenger safety and the dangers of heat-related incidents.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health reminds families that leaving a child in a vehicle can happen to anyone. The South Carolina Pediatric Alliance and LCSD encourage families to make “Look Before You Lock” part of their routine every time they leave a vehicle.

A parked vehicle can become dangerous in only a few minutes. By checking every seat, locking unattended vehicles and acting quickly when a child is in danger, Lexington County residents can help prevent heat-related tragedies and keep children safe throughout the summer.

Information provided by Sgt. Jason Spears of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Division and the South Carolina Pediatric Alliance.

 

Recent Blogs

Recent Jobs

More than a raise: Competitive pay, career growth and opportunity at LCSD

As the cost of living continues to rise, competitive compensation remains a priority for employers and job seekers alike. At the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, investing in employees is more than a budget decision. It is a commitment to the people who serve our community every day.

New fiscal year brings pay increases for all LCSD employees

As part of the 2026-27 budget, which took effect July 1, 2026, all Lexington County Sheriff’s Department employees will receive a 3% cost-of-living adjustment. Employees are also eligible for up to a 2% merit-based raise based on their most recent performance evaluation.

These increases reflect Lexington County’s continued commitment to attracting, retaining and rewarding dedicated public servants while ensuring the Sheriff’s Department remains competitive in today’s workforce.

Competitive starting salaries for new deputies

For those considering a career in law enforcement or detention operations, there has never been a better time to join the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Uncertified detention and law enforcement deputy applicants can begin with a starting salary up to $55,408.08. This applies to brand-new, uncertified detention or law enforcement applicants and reflects LCSD’s standard 86-hour bi-weekly shift schedule.

Certified detention and law enforcement deputy applicants are eligible for higher starting salary ranges based on experience:

Starting salary for certified applicants: $53,350.96 to $56,436.64
This applies to South Carolina-certified officers with less than three years of service.

Three years of service salary: $54,893.80 to $56,950.92
This applies to South Carolina-certified officers with three years of service.

Six years of service salary: $56,436.64 to $58,493.76
This applies to South Carolina-certified officers with six years of service.

Applicants might also be eligible for additional incentives depending on education and Spanish fluency.

More than compensation

Competitive pay is only one part of the investment LCSD makes in its employees. The department also provides opportunities for professional development, specialized assignments, leadership training and advancement throughout an employee’s career.

From patrol and detention operations to investigations, judicial services, communications, technology and administrative support roles, employees have opportunities to build meaningful careers while serving one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing communities.

Whether you are beginning your public safety career or looking for a new opportunity to serve, LCSD offers a place where hard work, professionalism and dedication are recognized and rewarded.

Comprehensive benefits employees can count on

Lexington County offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, retirement, holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, flexible spending accounts, wellness incentive health reimbursement accounts, deferred compensation and more.

Another significant advantage for LCSD employees is stability in health care costs. County employees have not experienced an increase in health insurance premiums in more than a decade, helping families better manage household expenses while maintaining quality coverage.

Eligible employees are also paid overtime at a rate of 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for time worked. Overtime is calculated for any hours worked over 86 in a two-week pay period for non-exempt, sworn personnel.

Annual leave is accrued at 10 days per year for employees with less than five years of service with the county, 15 days for employees with five to 10 years of service and 20 days for employees with 10 or more years of service. Sick leave is accrued at 12 days per year.

Investing in people and public safety

This budget is not just about numbers. It is about people, our most important asset.

And, here’s another important number: $5,000.

New detention and patrol employees are eligible for a $5,000 sign-on incentive to be paid out over their first two years of service.

This is just another example of how LCSD remains committed to providing employees with the resources, support and compensation they deserve while continuing to deliver exceptional service to the people of Lexington County.

Competitive salaries help the department recruit high-quality candidates, retain experienced employees and ensure the community continues to benefit from a professional and highly trained workforce.

Looking ahead

The Sheriff’s Department continues to invest in the people who make its mission possible. Through competitive pay, professional development opportunities, strong benefits and a commitment to employee success, LCSD remains focused on building a workforce prepared to meet the needs of a growing community.

If you are ready to make a difference and begin a rewarding career in public service, now is an excellent time to explore opportunities with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Recent Blogs

Recent Jobs

National Safety Month: Small choices protect what matters most

Every June, National Safety Month gives us a chance to pause and think about something we often take for granted: getting home safely.

Led by the National Safety Council since 1996, National Safety Month is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about preventable injuries and deaths. It reminds us safety is not just a policy, a checklist or a training topic. Safety is personal. It is about the people we work beside, the families we return home to and the everyday decisions that can change everything in a single moment.

For employers, public safety agencies, families and communities, June is an important time to talk openly about the risks we face at work, on the road and in daily life. The focus areas for National Safety Month include important topics such as continuous improvement, employee engagement, roadway safety and wellness. Each of these areas points to the same truth: preventing harm takes awareness, commitment and care from all of us.

One of the most important safety issues we continue to face

Most people know texting and driving is dangerous, but distraction can happen in more than one way. The National Safety Council identifies three types of distracted driving: visual, manual and cognitive.

A visual distraction takes your eyes off the road. It might be turning around to check on a child in the back seat or looking down at a notification on your phone.

A manual distraction takes your hands off the wheel. This can include eating, adjusting something in the car, reaching for an item or using a phone.

A cognitive distraction takes your mind away from driving. Even daydreaming, stress or thinking about everything waiting for you at your destination can reduce your ability to react safely.

At least eight people are killed every day in distracted driving-related crashes. Behind that number are families, friends, coworkers and entire communities affected by a loss that might have been preventable.

Small choices can make a real difference

Before driving, take a few moments to get ready. Adjust your mirrors. Choose your music or podcast. Enter your destination into GPS before leaving. Make sure children are settled, bags are secure and anything you might need is within safe reach.

Once you are moving, let driving be the only task. Keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road and your attention on what is happening around you. If you need to make a call, respond to a message, help a child or handle something urgent, pull over somewhere safe and well-lit.

Safety is not about being perfect. It is about being present.

In Lexington County, National Safety Month is an opportunity to renew our commitment to protecting one another. Whether you are driving to work, serving the community, managing a team or heading home after a long day, your choices matter.

A safer community begins with people who care enough to slow down, pay attention, speak up and look out for each other. This June, let’s use National Safety Month as a reminder that safety is not something we think about only after something goes wrong.

It is something we practice every day, because every life is worth protecting.



Recent Blogs

Recent Jobs

A trend worth noticing, a partnership worth sustaining – A message from Sheriff Koon

In law enforcement, we are trained to look beyond a single data point and focus on patterns. Right now in Lexington County, an encouraging pattern is taking shape. Overdose deaths are trending downward. That matters. It reflects lives saved, families spared and a community beginning to turn the corner on one of the biggest public safety challenges we face.

But let me be clear: progress is not permission to ease up. It is proof that what we are doing together is working.

The data tells a story:

  • 2020: 112 overdose deaths
  • 2021: 106 overdose deaths
  • 2022: 125 overdose deaths
  • 2023: 107 overdose deaths
  • 2024: 93 overdose deaths
  • 2025: 75 overdose deaths

From a peak of 125 deaths in 2022 to 75 in 2025, Lexington County has seen a nearly 40 percent reduction in overdose deaths over three years. That is not accidental. That is the result of sustained, coordinated effort between a number of different organizations.

That effort is all about collaboration, particularly between law enforcement, EMS, the Lexington County Overdose Fatality Review Board and our community partners, such as LRADAC, the Courage Center and Uplift Lexington. Each brings a different capability to the table. Together, those capabilities create a more complete response.

Law enforcement works to disrupt supply and hold traffickers accountable. EMS provides immediate, life-saving intervention in overdose situations. LRADAC and the Courage Center connect individuals to treatment, recovery resources and long-term support. None of these efforts, standing alone, would produce the kind of outcomes we are now seeing.

Still, this moment calls for discipline, not complacency.

Here is what the data demands of us moving forward:

  • Reducing access and availability of illicit substances must remain a priority through enforcement and prevention strategies
  • Expanding access to tools such as Narcan continues to save lives and should remain widely promoted
  • Sustained collaboration between agencies and organizations drives innovation and ensures we are meeting real community needs

There is no single solution to the overdose crisis. There never has been. What we are seeing now in Lexington County is the result of a layered strategy, executed consistently and collaboratively.

The takeaway is straightforward: when we work together, we make a difference.

The responsibility ahead is just as clear. Maintain the relationships. Invest in what works. Adapt where needed. And above all, remain committed to the shared goal of safer communities.

The progress is real. Now we have to keep it that way.

Sheriff Bryan “Jay” Koon was sworn in as the 39th sheriff of Lexington County in 2015. He is a graduate of Lexington High School, the University of South Carolina and the FBI’s National Academy. In 2023, Koon was named the sheriff of the year by the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association. He resides in Lexington with his wife, Kim, a long-time middle school teacher.



Recent Blogs

Recent Jobs