January 9 was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a time to recognize not only the service deputies provide in moments of crisis, but also the quieter, everyday ways they invest in the future of our community.
For one Lexington County Sheriff’s Department deputy, Major Hampton Taylor, that investment happens not behind a badge or a patrol car, but in a school hallway, once a week, with a book in hand.
How It All Started
The journey began when a local school principal reached out to public safety officers looking for mentors. The school had identified a group of students who could benefit from positive role models, and Taylor was asked to participate.
The school paired him with one student, and what started as a simple weekly reading session has now grown into a five-year mentoring relationship.
Today, they still meet once a week for about an hour throughout the school year, reading together, talking and catching up on life.
More Than Just Reading
While reading is the foundation of their time together, the conversations go far beyond books.
They talk about:
- How school is going
- What’s happening at home
- Goals for the future
- Sports, competitions and upcoming events
- Making good decisions and staying focused
Many of the books they read together carry life lessons about perseverance, teamwork, not giving up and making smart choices. After each session, they talk about what they learned and how it applies to real life.
“He reads to me, then I read to him,” Taylor explained. “And then we talk about what the book means, and what we can learn from it.”
A Long-Term Commitment
There’s no official cutoff for the mentoring relationship.
“When you start mentoring a kid, there isn’t a timeline,” Taylor said. “Once he leaves elementary school, I’ll still follow him and stay in touch. The toughest school years are still ahead, middle school and high school. That’s when it’s even more important to keep being that positive influence.”
The Impact Goes Beyond One Student
At first, the student was shy. Now, every week when Taylor walks into the lunchroom, he runs up to greet him with a hug, one when he arrives and one before he leaves.
And it’s not just him anymore.
What started as one-on-one mentoring has turned into something bigger. Other students line up to say hello. They want hugs. They want to read. They want to talk.
“It started with one kid,” Taylor said, “but now I’ve kind of gained a whole classroom.”
Why This Matters
For Taylor, this is at the core of why law enforcement exists.
“These kids are the future of our community and our country,” he said. “Not everybody comes from the same background. This helps me understand where people come from and what they’re going through.”
He also shared that mentoring provides a powerful balance to the realities of law enforcement.
“So often, we see people on their worst days. But when you walk into a school and kids are excited to see you, it reminds them that we’re not just there for the worst moments. We truly want the best for them.”
A Positive Influence in the Classroom
Teachers have seen the impact too. Many of the students selected for mentoring were identified because of challenges, such as focus, attention or other obstacles in the classroom.
Having something positive to look forward to each week makes a difference.
“It helps keep him focused and motivated,” Taylor said. “He’s been doing excellent in school.”
A Department-Wide Effort
This mentoring program isn’t just one deputy. Other members of the Sheriff’s Department have also participated when schedules allow, especially in areas where the program first began.
It’s a reminder that community policing doesn’t always happen in emergencies. Sometimes, it happens one conversation, one book and one relationship at a time.
Honoring Service on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
On January 9, as we recognized National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, stories like this highlight what service truly looks like. Not just enforcing the law, but building trust, shaping futures and showing the next generation that someone believes in them.
Because sometimes, the most meaningful impact doesn’t come from a call for service, but from showing up, week after week, and simply being there.