June 1, 2024


ROGER RICE AWARD – Timothy Randell “Randy” Crain was recognized with the Roger Dale Rice, Jr. Distinguished Cadet Award during graduation ceremonies for Law Enforcement Explorer Post 2008 June 1st in Laurens.  The award honors Deputy Roger Rice who was killed in the line of duty in July 2011.  Crain, pictured center, is the first recipient of the award.  He is flanked by Rice’s parents, Roger, Sr. and Debrah Rice.

EXPLORER OF THE YEAR – Natasha Sherman, center, was named Explorer of the Year during graduation ceremonies for Law Enforcement Explorer Post 2008 June 1st in Laurens.  She is pictured with Laurens County Sheriff Ricky Chastain, left, and Lt. Marty Crain, Explorer Post advisor.

SCOTT QUARLES AWARD – Johnny “Bubba” Wooten, III, was recognized with the Joseph Scott Quarles Aptitude Award June 1st during graduation ceremonies for Law Enforcement Explorer Post 2008 in Laurens.  The award honors Deputy Scott Quarles who died in a car accident in 2003 while responding to a call.  Quarles was instrumental in helping create the Explorer post in 2001.  Cadet Wooten is pictured with Sheriff Ricky Chastain, left, and Post advisor, Lt. Marty Crain.

CADET GRADUATES – Three cadets were recognized in a badge pinning ceremony June 1st in Laurens after successfully completing the Law Enforcement Explorer basic program for Explorer Post 2008.  The Explorer Post is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America and trains young men and women ages 13 to 21 who are interested in a potential career in law enforcement.  The graduating cadets include, beginning second from the left, Tyler Kirby, Marshall Wilbanks, and Logan Pugh.  They are congratulated by Sheriff Ricky Chastain, far left, and Explorer advisor Lt. Marty Crain, far right.

EXPLORER APPRECIATION – The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 2008 recognized three supporters June 1st during their annual graduation ceremony in Laurens.  Zaxby’s of Laurens, Michael Douglas and Ken Porter were recognized for exemplary support of the post during the past year.  Pictured, second from the right, is Zaxby’s managing partner Stan Sullivan accepting an appreciation plaque on behalf of his restaurant and staff.  Also picture, from the left, are Sheriff Ricky Chastain, Mrs. Sullivan, and Explorer advisor Lt. Marty Crain. 
SHERIFF’S OFFICE EXPLORER POST RECOGNIZES CADETS, SUPPORTERS
 
LAURENS – Family members, friends, and supporters of Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 2008 gathered June 1st at the Jaycee Hut in Laurens to recognize and honor cadets at their annual graduation ceremony and cook-out. 

Founded in January 2001 by then newly elected sheriff Ricky Chastain and affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, the organization trains young men and women ages 13 to 21 who are interested in a potential career in law enforcement.

Each Explorer cadet receives a uniform, badge, and training by certified law enforcement officers in CPR, traffic laws, weapons safety, driving skills, and other advanced areas of law enforcement.

Prior to the cook-out, cadets were recognized with a pinning ceremony and awards presentations.

New graduates Tyler Kirby, Marshall Wilbanks, and Logan Pugh were pinned with their badges by Sheriff Ricky Chastain following their successful completion of the Explorer basic program.

Timothy Randell “Randy” Crain was presented with the Roger Dale Rice, Jr. Distinguished Cadet award.  The award honors Deputy Rice who was killed in the line of duty in July 2011.  Crain is the first recipient of the award which was presented by Rice’s parents, Roger, Sr., and Debrah Rice.

Natasha Sherman was recognized as Explorer of the Year while Johnny “Bubba” Wooten, III, was presented with the Joseph Scott Quarles Aptitude award.  The aptitude award honors Deputy Quarles who was instrumental in assisting with the Explorer Post’s organization before his death in 2003 in a car accident while answering a call.

A number of ribbons and certificates were awarded recognizing the completion of certain levels of training.  Cadets receiving these recognitions include Marshall Wilbanks, Tyler Kirby, Randy Crain, Bubba Wooten, Logan Pugh, Cory Ciemiewicz, Alley Garrett, Amanda Burns, Slater Thompson, Kylah Evans, William Newman, and Natasha Sherman.

Zaxby’s of Laurens, Michael Douglas, and Ken Porter where given special recognition for their support of the Explorer program.

Explorers meet every other Tuesday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Laurens County Sheriff’s office during the school calendar year and from 6:00-9:00 p.m. during the summer months.

For more information on participating in the Explorer program, contact Lt. Marty Crain at 864-871-3465.