Lowcountry FOP Lodge #16

04/13/2026

Congratulations to one of our own. Well deserved!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17CatjP7UF/

Beaufort Police Chief Stephenie Price to Receive National Recognition in Washington, D.C.

BEAUFORT, S.C. (April 13, 2026)- The City of Beaufort is proud to announce that Police Chief Stephenie Price will be honored later this month in Washington, D.C., as a recipient of the 2026 Ted Poe Award for Excellence by a Public Official, a national award presented by the Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus. Chief Price was nominated for this honor by the Office of Congresswoman Nancy Mace.

Chief Price will be recognized during an awards ceremony on April 21 at the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. The event, hosted by the Bipartisan Caucus, highlights leaders from across the country who have made significant contributions to justice, victim advocacy, and public safety.

During the ceremony, awards will be presented by Caucus Co-Chairs Jim Costa and Juan Ciscomani, with honorees recognized for their leadership and impact within their communities.

Chief Price’s selection reflects her steadfast commitment to public safety, victim-centered policing, and community engagement in Beaufort. Under her leadership, the Beaufort Police Department has continued to strengthen partnerships, enhance service delivery, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.

Chief Stephenie Price said:
“I am truly honored to receive this recognition. It reflects the dedication of our entire department and our shared commitment to serving the City of Beaufort with compassion, integrity, and service.”

Mayor Philip E. Cromer praised Chief Price’s achievement:
“Chief Price represents the very best of public service. This national recognition is a testament not only to her leadership, but to her unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. Beaufort is fortunate to have her at the helm of our Police Department.”

City Manager Scott Marshall added:
“This honor reflects Chief Price’s dedication to service, her focus on people, and her ability to lead with both strength and compassion. Her work continues to elevate our organization and reinforces Beaufort’s reputation as a community that values excellence in public safety.”

The ceremony will be livestreamed, allowing colleagues, residents, and supporters to share in this well-deserved recognition.

The City of Beaufort extends its sincere congratulations to Chief Price and expresses its gratitude for her continued leadership and service to the community.

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03/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GNfour2JU/

SLED CHIEF ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING
ALLEGATIONS OF ILLEGAL CANNABIS SEIZURE

SLED Chief Mark Keel has issued the following statement:

Yesterday the McGrath Law Firm, led by attorney Peter McGrath, sent a press release to members of the media alleging the “unlawful seizure of millions of dollars in inventory, and business assets from legally operating h**p retailers across South Carolina” by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Notably, these allegations against SLED were later retracted by the McGrath Law Firm. However, in my view the damage was done and a response is warranted. SLED has not been served with any legal action by Mr. McGrath at this point. To our knowledge, no law enforcement agency has been served with any legal action.

SLED supports the DEA, as well as our local, state, and other federal partners, in ridding our communities of dangerous illicit drugs. While it would be improper to release any additional information at this time, including forensic analysis of products from these shops, I encourage everyone to carefully evaluate all claims made in this or future releases.

As the Chief of SLED, as a law enforcement professional for nearly 50 years, and as a father and grandfather; I will not sit idly by while a well-funded cannabis industry invades South Carolina with the hopes of legitimizing and normalizing these dangerous products. I refuse to sit on the sidelines while what are, in my opinion, neighborhood drug dealers operate under the guise of legitimacy.

These v**e-style shops have popped up in neighborhoods across South Carolina with flashy lights and illicit products, and are peddling dangerous, high potency, intoxicating THC products to anyone who will buy them - often with tragic consequences.

In a recent analysis provided to SLED, there are hundreds of these v**e-style shops in the Low Country and Midlands regions of South Carolina within 1/2 mile of a school.

I urge you to educate yourselves and your children on the harm these dangerous drugs pose.

It is my sincere hope that we as a state say, “enough is enough” and rid ourselves of high potency THC products and the ability of v**e shops to sell them. These high potency products pose a real risk to our citizens, especially our young people, and we must take appropriate action.

Finally, I will not stand down to this industry or to their lawyers – especially when they make false allegations. What I will do, as I have done throughout my near five decades of law enforcement service, is do what is right and enforce the laws of this state with integrity.

Mark A. Keel
Chief of SLED

03/15/2026

National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to Representatives Weber and Min in support of H.R. 7718, the “Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act.”

https://fop.net/letter/h-r-7718-the-officer-john-barnes-and-chief-michael-ansbro-public-safety-officers-benefits-program-expansion-act/

03/15/2026

National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to Senator Husted to thank him for cosponsoring S. 679, the “LEOSA Reform Act."

https://fop.net/letter/cosponsor-thank-you-s-679-the-leosa-reform-act/

03/15/2026

Due to certain circumstances, we will not be conducting our monthly meeting this Tuesday. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. We do ask everyone to lift up our Vice President Dave Williams in prayer as he undergoes surgery for his shoulder.

03/06/2026

H.3034, the K9 Protection Bill, advanced today out of the House Judiciary Criminal Laws Subcommittee. More than thirty K9 teams were present at the Statehouse, demonstrating the strong support for protecting these highly trained partners who serve alongside our officers.

Numerous individuals and organizations testified in favor of the bill, including the South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police. We are proud to stand with the handlers, agencies, and supporters who continue to advocate for stronger protections for law enforcement K9s.

03/06/2026

H.4763, the HALO protection bill establishing a clearly defined safety perimeter for first responders during dynamic incidents, has passed the South Carolina House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate.

Thank you to Rep. Melissa Oremus for sponsoring H.4763 and to Representative Chris Wooten for House, author of the original HALO legislation (H.3535). We also extend our sincere appreciation to the members of the House who supported this legislation and stood with South Carolina’s first responders.

We look forward to its continued advancement in the Senate.

02/25/2026

H.4763, the HALO protection bill creating a clearly defined 25-foot safety perimeter for first responders, has passed the House Judiciary Committee.

We appreciate the committee’s leadership and thoughtful consideration of this important public safety measure. This legislation reinforces the ability of first responders to perform their duties without interference while respecting constitutional rights.

We look forward to the next step in the process.

02/20/2026

What a great step forward!!!!!!

S.175, the HALO Act, has passed out of Senate Judiciary Subcommittee and now heads to the full Judiciary Committee. This is a top priority for the SCFOP and an important step toward strengthening protections for South Carolina’s first responders.

02/20/2026

Ice cream and conversation make for a great evening 🍦🙂

We’re looking forward to spending time with the community at our Meet the Chief Ice Cream Social, with members of our command staff also in attendance, hosted by Sprenger Health Care Port Royal.

Come say hello, enjoy some ice cream, and get to know the team serving our community.

📅 Thursday, February 26
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 1810 Richmond Ave., Port Royal

02/11/2026

The job is not about recognition. It is about responsibility and making it home.