This month our Hometown Hero is Former Colleton County Sheriff George Malone. Sheriff Malone passed away Tuesday, February 17th. Malone began his service to Colleton County in 1968 as Colleton County’s first African American Deputy. In 2004 Malone reached a major milestone in his career by being elected as Sheriff of Colleton County in 2004 and re-election in 2008.
During his early tenure, colleagues remembered him as a "gentle giant" who mentored other officers on patrol. One of his key achievements as Sheriff was his gang crackdown by being one of the first leaders in the South Carolina Lowcountry to formally recognize and address the growing gang problem in the county. He made it a focus to increase the number of officers on the streets to increase visibility thus improving community safety.
After taking office, Malone requested a state investigation into the handling of $6 million in federal drug seizure funds from the previous administration to ensure financial transparency and accountability, making financial responsibility and transparency a cornerstone of his administration.
Malone was a hands-on Sheriff, leading the department through several highprofile incidents. This included the 2008 investigation into the slaying of Deputy Dennis Compton as well as the shooting of Sergent Jackie Lawson during a domestic violence call. Stating that the death of a deputy was a low point in his career, “Any sheriff or chief of police will tell you that the worst thing is when you lose an officer especially in an ambush.”
Molone said in a 2012 interview with The Press and Standard he said, “When I joined the Sheriff’s Office, I was the fourth deputy in the department, as I leave office we have 125 employees.” During the interview he reflected on technology changes and the changes in the mindset of the general public, the criminal element, and the officers that work under the
sheriff. He also left some advice for future sheriffs telling them to “Get in touch with whoever you believe in and hopefully he will guide you into making the right decisions.”
George Malone passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 81. The Colleton County Sheriff's Office credited his tenure with leaving a "lasting impact" through his commitment to professionalism and public safety.
