South Carolina Department of Public Safety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 15, 2012

CONTACT: L/Cpl. Bill Rhyne, 803-896-8144

JEREMY M. PICKENS NAMED TROOP 3 TROOPER OF THE YEAR

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Highway Patrol named Trooper First Class Jeremy M. Pickens the Troop Three Trooper of the Year at a March 15 ceremony. Troop Three includes Anderson, Greenville, Pickens, Spartanburg and Oconee counties.

TFC Pickens has been with the Highway Patrol since 2010 and has been assigned to Troop 3, Anderson County, since graduating. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol he was employed by the Anderson City Police Department from December 2007 – February 2010 in addition to the Medshore Ambulance Service from 2005 – present.

“TFC Pickens has done an outstanding job throughout his career as a state trooper, paying attention to detail and making solid cases,” said Col. Mike Oliver, Highway Patrol commander.  “He couples strong enforcement skills with compassion for those he serves.”

On November 10, 2011, TFC Pickens responded to a call regarding a possible drunk driver. After arresting the intoxicated driver, he noticed a small child in the backseat of the driver’s vehicle with a black eye and badly swollen face.

Upon investigation, it was determined that the child had been abused with serious injuries including a broken neck. If not for TFC Pickens’ care and compassion as well as his dedication to duty, this child could have possibly been put back into a dangerous situation.

TFC Pickens is a native of Anderson, SC. He was awarded the Supervisor’s Award for the Fourth Quarter in Troop 3 for 2011; Troop 3 Mark Coates Award Winner for 2011; and Troop 3 Trooper of the Year for 2011.

He and his wife, Erin, are the parents of one daughter, Mackenzie. They are members of Parkwood Baptist Church and reside in Anderson.

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