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TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND ED DARNELL, OF BAMBERG COUNTY, FOR MORE THAN FORTY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE AS BAMBERG COUNTY SHERIFF AND HIS COMMITMENT TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS TO COME.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to pause in their deliberations to recognize individuals who devote themselves to improving the Palmetto State. Sheriff Ed Darnell, who strived for more than forty years to serve and protect the citizens of this State is one such person; and
Whereas, the longest serving sheriff in South Carolina and third-longest serving sheriff in the United States, Sheriff Darnell began his career with the Denmark Police Department. Originally hired in 1972, he graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy the following year, and began to serve the city as a law enforcement officer; and
Whereas, in 1978, Ed was appointed as the Bamberg County Sheriff by Governor James Edwards to serve out the remainder of the term of Mr. A. L. Strickland. He served continuously in that post for forty-two years; and
Whereas, dedicated in his service, Governor Nikki Haley appointed Sheriff Darnell to the Training Council of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 2012. Beyond serving as the President of the Sheriff's Association in 1986, he has been widely recognized for his efforts with numerous awards during his tenure as sheriff. Those awards include being voted Sheriff of the Year in 2001 by his peers and Sheriff of the Year in 2008 by the South Carolina Victim Advocate's Association. He was also recognized by the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce in 2019 with the Bamberg County Citizen of the Year Award; and
Whereas, the Bamberg County Council unanimously passed a resolution on December 30, 2019, honoring Sheriff Darnell for his dedicated service, contributions, and achievements to Bamberg County. They also approved naming the new Bamberg County Sheriff's Office headquarters as the Ed Darnell Law Enforcement Center; and
Whereas, just one member of a family inclined to serve the public through a career in law enforcement, Sheriff Darnell's twin brother served as the chief of police in Barnwell, and his son works for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; and
Whereas, generous with his time and his willingness to sacrifice, Sheriff Darnell also served in the South Carolina National Guard for thirty-one years, ending his service as a platoon sergeant; and
Whereas, in addition to his extensive public service, Sheriff Darnell is a member of the Denmark Masonic Lodge 246, the Omar Shiners' of Mount Pleasant, and the First Baptist Church in Denmark; and
Whereas, Sheriff Darnell's tireless work is indicative of his tremendous character and the joy he derives from improving the lives of others. Grateful for the passion, commitment, and dedication that Sheriff Ed Darnell has shown in serving the State and the people of South Carolina, the House of Representatives is pleased to salute him and thank him for his public service. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and commend Ed Darnell, of Bamberg County for more than forty years of distinguished public service as Bamberg County sheriff and his commitment to the State of South Carolina, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in the years to come.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Sheriff Ed Darnell.
This web page was last updated on March 4, 2020 at 12:25 PM