A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR ROBERT MILLER, FORMER INTERIM CHIEF OF THE CITY OF BARNWELL POLICE DEPARTMENT, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RECENT RETIREMENT AFTER GRACIOUSLY SERVING DURING A TIME OF TRANSITION AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, a native of Georgia, the young Robert Miller moved with his family to Martin, South Carolina, and finally to Barnwell, where he and his late wife, Margaret, made their permanent home. There, they raised a fine family of three, Robert, Jr., Christopher, and Candida, who made the senior Millers the proud grandparents of several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, after working at Barnwell's A.T. Barwick for many years, in 1978 Robert Miller became only the third African American police officer to serve the City of Barnwell; and

Whereas, Robert moved through the ranks as patrolman, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and, in 2021, interim chief, making him the first African American to serve as chief. Though he had been contemplating retirement in the very near future, after much careful prayer and thought, he agreed to take the position of interim chief until a permanent chief could be hired; and

Whereas, in 2021, Chief Miller retired (for the first time) after forty-three years of dedicated service. He thought that now he could commit full-time to his farm and animals; his church, Mt. Hope Baptist, where he still serves as chairman of the deacon board; and the Masonic Lodge, where he rose to its highest elected office. This servant-leader also held many offices in numerous other community organizations; and

Whereas, among the many accolades Robert Miller received during his long and illustrious career was a certificate of special recognition from the members of the United States Congress for his outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Further, he was featured in The People Sentinel newspaper in grateful appreciation for his many years of leadership and service to the City of Barnwell, and a proclamation by then Mayor Marcus Rivera of Barnwell was issued to declare July 27, 2021, "Robert L. Miller, Sr., Day" in the City of Barnwell, in recognition of the chief's exemplary public service; and

Whereas, in September 2023, the City of Barnwell asked former Chief Miller (then retired) to return as interim police chief after the chief of that time resigned. Robert Miller prayerfully sought God's guidance, came out of retirement, and accepted the position until another chief could be found and hired; and

Whereas, at the March 4, 2024, monthly meeting of Barnwell City Council, Robert Miller was surprised with a second resolution from the City of Barnwell that expressed grateful thanks for his lifetime of public service and for stepping in when the city was in a difficult transition period; and

Whereas, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Robert Miller leaves to the citizens of this great State, most particularly those of Barnwell, the House is pleased to extend best wishes to the former chief as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and 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, recognize and honor Robert Miller, former interim chief of the City of Barnwell Police Department, upon the occasion of his recent retirement after graciously serving during a time of transition and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to former Barnwell Police Chief Robert Miller.

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