Sheriff Metts Lauded by State Law Enforcement Group

It's probably safe to say that Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts has been the chief lawman in these parts for as long as many Patch readers have been alive. Indeed, for many Lexingtonians, Metts is the only sheriff they've ever known.

In a ceremony Tuesday before the Lexington County Council's regular meeting, Metts received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association. The group -- which Metts was president of in 1986-87 -- recognized the sheriff not only for his impressive electoral longevity (the longest of any current elected Republican official in South Carolina), but also for his accomplishments and contributions over the past 38 years.

Though the award was officially awarded last month, Tuesday's brief ceremony was a chance to fete Metts in front of the council and the public. In presenting the award, SCLEOA President Harry Stubblefield ticked off a list of Metts' accomplishments and milestones since his election in 1972. 

Among the highlights: Metts led the effort to create the Lexington County Criminal Domestic Violence Court, the first court in South Carolina to be dedicated to handling domestic violence cases. The court includes an intensive treatment program for abusers and their families. Metts hired detectives to investigate domestic violence cases as well as a lawyer to prosecute such cases in court.

Additionally, Metts is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, National Sheriffs' Institute, National Corrections Academy, South Carolina Executive Institute, and the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Further, he has received the Order of the Silver Crescent and the Order of the Palmetto -- two of the highest honors the state bestows.

Metts was also the first South Carolina sheriff to hire school resource officers, victims assistance officers, and certified female law enforcement officers.

(For a more complete list, click here).

"I'd just like to say I didn't accomplish all those things by myself; I've had quality people assisting me," Metts said, giving thanks to council members both past and present, as well as citizens and his law enforcement personnel through the years.

"We have the greatest people anywhere in the world," he said of his fellow Lexingtonians. "They care about their communities and their quality of life and they work with me and with you to enhance their quality of life and keep Lexington County the community she is and the community we want her to continue to be."