COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Highway Patrol officially welcomed 32 troopers including a Floyd Dale man from its SC Highway Patrol Class 126 today (September 26) in a modified graduation ceremony.
Franklin L. Meekins of Floyd Dale is among the graduates and is assigned to Troop 5, Post B.
Originally, the graduation ceremony for this class was scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2024. However, due to the State of Emergency issued by Governor McMaster ahead of Hurricane Helene, the decision was made to cancel Friday’s event for the safety of all involved.
In lieu of the larger ceremony, SC Highway Patrol command staff met with Class 126 at the SC Criminal Justice Academy on Thursday, September 26, where the graduating troopers received their diplomas, took the Oath of Office, and were welcomed officially to the ranks of the Highway Patrol.
This graduating class includes 13 pre-certified officers and 19 who are new to the law enforcement profession. The addition of this graduating class brings the total number of troopers in South Carolina to 784.*
Troopers are assigned to areas based on a number of considerations, which include population density, the number of calls for service, and the number of licensed drivers/registered vehicles in an area. To see where the troopers from Class 126 are assigned, please see the class roster located on this webpage: https://scdps.sc.gov/schp/classes. The class roster is also at the link below: Basic 126 Roster
Colonel Christopher Williamson, Commander of the SC Highway Patrol, offered the new troopers words of wisdom as they embarked on their new career:
“You all have answered the call to serve and I am especially proud to welcome each of you to the Highway Patrol family. As you start your journey as a trooper, remember — each new day provides an opportunity to save a life, to make someone else’s life better, or to help someone facing a tragedy. That service to others starts immediately as you serve the people of South Carolina in our response to the inclement weather that’s impacting our state.”
Special awards from Class 126 include:
Major Israel Brooks, Jr. Physical Fitness Award: Presented to the trooper who excelled on the physical training test and each day during the early morning exercises.
Class 126 Recipient: James Abraham Jr
Captain Cecil Dilworth Marksmanship Award: Presented to the trooper who demonstrated the best marksmanship during firearms training.
Class 126 Recipient: Jace K. Martin
Colonel P.F. Thompson Outstanding Achievement Award: For the trooper who displays the character and dedication symbolic of former Highway Patrol Colonel P.F. Thompson, the longest-serving SC Highway Patrol commander.
Class 126 Recipient: Chad M. Geter
