A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE Sheriff Michael E. Hunt, Sr. UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS many YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Sheriff Michael E. Hunt Sr. upon the occasion of his retirement as sheriff of Aiken County; and

Whereas, Sheriff Hunt became sheriff of Aiken County in May 2003 during a special election. A year later, he ran unopposed to win his first full term. This was an accomplishment not seen in Aiken County for more than forty years; and

Whereas, Sheriff Hunt led the Special Services Bureau as a lieutenant with the Aiken Department of Public Safety, where he received The Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement in 2001; and

Whereas, encouraged by his father and others to dedicate his life to serving the community, Sheriff Hunt began his public safety career as a firefighter in Richmond County, Georgia, right out of high school. He began his law enforcement career in 1981 as a corrections officer at the Aiken County Detention Center. A year later, he became a public safety officer with the North Augusta Department of Public Safety and then joined the Aiken Department of Public Safety at age twenty-four; and

Whereas, proudly taking the reins as the Sheriff of Aiken County, Sheriff Hunt restructured the agency, beginning with placing more deputies on the streets. This resulted in a drastically improved response time to citizens' calls for service; and

Whereas, in January 2005, disaster struck Aiken County when a train derailed creating a chemical spill in Graniteville. Sheriff Hunt approached the critical situation with boldness while demonstrating an astounding "hands on" management style. Governor Mark Sanford recognized this extraordinary leadership and awarded Sheriff Hunt the state's highest honor, The Order of the Silver Crescent; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina's Sheriff's Association voted Sheriff Hunt South Carolina's Sheriff of the Year in 2006. Sheriff Hunt was elected and served as president of the SCSA for the 2016-2017 term; and

Whereas, in addition to these accolades, Sheriff Hunt has received a number of honors and awards, including the Palmetto Patriot Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor's Office. This honor was bestowed by Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer in 2011 for Sheriff Hunt's commitment to public service within South Carolina and the community. South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association also proudly honored Sheriff Hunt with the 2022 Life Time Achievement Award; and

Whereas, Sheriff Hunt is the longest serving sheriff in Aiken County, humbly serving the position for twenty-one years with an overall public safety career of over forty years. He is a dedicated father and husband who cherishes his family. Serving the Aiken County Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Aiken County has been a remarkable journey, and he will forever be grateful to everyone who has worked beside him so bravely and diligently to keep their community safe; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the passion and dedication that Sheriff Hunt has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Sheriff Michael E. Hunt Sr. upon the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his many years of dedicated service, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in the years ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Sheriff Michael E. Hunt Sr.

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