A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE SERGEANT JUDD JONES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND AND THANK HIM FOR TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, for twenty-seven years, Sergeant Judd Jones has faithfully and diligently served the people of South Carolina in the field of law enforcement. Twenty-five of those years, since 1998, were served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol. His career with that agency was the fulfillment of an aspiration that began in high school after meeting Trooper Joseph Chandler; and

Whereas, after two years with Orangeburg Public Safety, Judd Jones finally got the opportunity he had long awaited. Following twenty weeks of training, he graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and was assigned to Lancaster, Troop 4. He served Troop 4 for two years before being reassigned to Troop 7, Post A; and

Whereas, in October 2009, he was chosen as the community relations officer (CRO) for Troop 7. In 2011, he stepped in and worked as CRO at another post to ensure that the outreach efforts of the troop were still accomplished while maintaining his own assigned troop and duties. As a lance corporal in 2012, Judd Jones was awarded the Troop 9 (CRO Unit) Trooper of the Year award for his service; and

Whereas, during his time as a CRO, he created a special citizen awareness program for the youth of his troop. In this program, certificates and plaques are presented to students who show initiative in the classroom, respect for teachers, and high moral character, Sergeant Jones using his own money to purchase the awards. Sergeant Jones also was honored by the family of Rodney Allen Williams in November 2022 for his ongoing support of this family since the unresolved hit-and-run death of their loved one; and

Whereas, as a big fan of college football, Judd Jones had the privilege of performing escort and security duties for Steve Spurrier, University of South Carolina head football coach, as well as for the legendary Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough of the South Carolina State University Bulldogs; and

Whereas, Sergeant Jones, a native of Newark, New Jersey, is the youngest of seven sons born to his loving parents, the late Johnie and Mary Jones. As a man of faith, he is the church musician for Bushy Pond Baptist Church in Norway. He and his wife, Del, have four children, Genesis, Noah, Micah, and Faith. They reside in Bamberg and work side by side in their church music ministry; and

Whereas, the House, appreciative of the dedication and service Judd Jones has bestowed on this great State, takes much pleasure in wishing him all the best as he enters retirement, and the members trust he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Sergeant Judd Jones of the South Carolina Highway Patrol on the occasion of his retirement, commend and thank him for twenty-seven years of distinguished service to the people of South Carolina, and wish him much success and fulfillment in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Sergeant Judd Jones.

----XX----