By HEATHER RUPPE
Two long-serving deputies with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office both retired last week.
Capt. Shane Roberts made his last call as a law enforcement officer last week, following his official retirement ceremony that was held at the sheriff’s office headquarters.
Roberts, 49, has also served as the administrator for the Colleton County Detention Center.
The Cottageville native has served as a law enforcement officer for 26 years, with eight of those 26 years being with the local sheriff’s office.
He has led the jail as its administrator for the last five years. During this time as an officer, Roberts has also been a field training manager, served as a corporal over the sheriff’s office road patrol division, been a public information officer and worked as an administrative lieutenant. Roberts is also an author and is still an active international instructor for other law enforcement officers.
When asked why he decided to retire this year, Roberts said he wants to use what he has learned in his law enforcement career to walk into the next chapter of his life.
“My 26-year law enforcement career allowed me to grow professionally and personally,” he said. “This allowed me to understand that the more effective I became at serving my community the more the community benefited. I now want to take that same philosophy and begin a new chapter of my life by sharing it with others.”
As a newly retired officer, Roberts said he wants to first focus on spending time with his family. He also plans to begin serving his community as a mentor. Roberts will remain an instructor for law enforcement training, and is also a licensed insurance agent.
“My career has afforded me many accomplishments,” he said. “From serving as Cottageville Chief of Police to Jail Administrator of the Colleton County Detention Center, I have so much to be proud of. But I am most proud that I have been able to share and instill in fellow officers the mindset of leaving it better than you found it.
“This type of mindset has allowed officers to grow and serve our communities in way that brings about positive change,” he said.
Standing beside Roberts during his retirement ceremony was fellow law enforcement officer, Lt. Jerry Polk. After giving more than 32 years a law enforcement officer, Polk, 57, also retired last week. The Hampton native has served the majority of his career with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office. During that time, he has been a deputy over the Patrol Division, worked in drug interdiction and civil warrants. However, Polk said he plans to return to work as soon as possible, rejoining the force as a retired deputy.
“I have no immediate plans for retirement, other then returning to the sheriff’s office in my current position,” he said. “I’ve had a good career in Law Enforcement and will continue, God willing, to serve the community.”
In Roberts’ absence, Capt. Wanda Taylor has been appointed as the new jail administrator.
“She has an enormous amount of knowledge and experience to effectively lead the Colleton County Detention Center. I wish her the very best,” said Roberts.
