State Transport Police Welcomes 13 New Graduates, Names Top Officers for 2024

Fri, 10/24/2025

Media: Photos from the ceremony will be posted to the SC Department of Public Safety's STP Graduation and STP Officer of the Year online photo album and the SCDPS Facebook page. Please continue to check for updates.

COLUMBIA -The South Carolina State Transport Police (STP) held a dual-ceremony today to welcome 13 new officers, recognize several employees for outstanding service and name the 2024 STP Officer of the Year.

This graduating class includes five pre-certified officers and eight who are new to the law enforcement profession. These recruits come from all areas of the state, as well as Florida, Kansas, and New Jersey.

"I am honored to welcome our new officers to the State Transport Police, and the SC Department of Public Safety," SCDPS Deputy Director Michael Oliver said. "Your dedication to serving and protecting our community is the cornerstone of our mission to save lives on South Carolina roadways. I look forward to the good work I know you will achieve."

A division of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, STP is primarily responsible for enforcing state and federal laws governing commercial motor vehicle traffic. New STP officers attend and graduate from Basic Training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA). Each officer then goes on to complete more specialized commercial motor vehicle training. The total training time for a new STP officer is nine months. Training includes basic law enforcement; size and weight enforcement; hazardous materials regulations; conducting safety inspections; and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.

This year's STP graduates include:
(Click on name for portraits)

Region 1 (Columbia):

Lance Corporal R.T. Turner, Hometown: Manning, SC

Officer S.R. Boone, Hometown: South Congaree, SC

Region 2 (Greenwood):

Master Officer R.A. Fittery, Hometown: Graniteville, SC

Master Officer R.R. Threatt II, Hometown: Rock Hill, SC

Region 3 (Greenville):

Lance Corporal M.J. Pinkstaff, Hometown: Daytona Beach, FL

Officer H.A. Novacek, Hometown: Annandale, NJ

Region 4 (Rock Hill):

Officer J.B. Catoe, Hometown: Kershaw, SC

Officer T.B. Helms, Hometown: Spartanburg, SC

Region 6 (Dorchester):

Lance Corporal J.T. Collie, Hometown: Elm City, NC

Officer K.L. Hoffman, Hometown: Sandy Run, SC

Officer T.D. Jones, Hometown: Calhoun Falls, SC

Officer T.R. McCray, Hometown: Moncks Corner, SC

Officer B.M. Wrigley, Hometown: Louisburg, KS

Special awards and recognitions included:

Colonel Leroy Taylor Distinguished Graduate Award: Presented to the STP graduate with the highest GPA in all state and federal courses.

Officer B.M. Wrigley, Region 6

In addition to welcoming the newest officers, STP announced its 2024 Officer of the Year, and recognized the 2024 Rookie of the Year, Employee of the Year, and Region of the Year.

The overall winner for the 2024 STP Officer of the Year is Lance Corporal Sidney A. Brock, who was recognized for his outstanding performance on the Special Operations Team. In 2024, Brock became an instructor in the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program, and was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) South Carolina with the Rick Moore DRE of the Year Award. Additionally, he performed nearly 1,000 commercial motor vehicle inspections, and led the STP Special Operations unit in drug, alcohol, and DUI cases for the year. In addition to his enforcement work, he is also a Specific Skills Instructor, helping train the next generation of law enforcement in standardized field sobriety tests at the SC Criminal Justice Academy.

Colonel Dwayne D. Wilson, commander of the State Transport Police, recognized the overall winner, as well as region-wide winners for the exceptional work and service demonstrated throughout 2024.

"It is with immense pride that I congratulate Lance Corporal Brock as our Officer of the Year for his exceptional dedication and service. I also extend my deepest appreciation to the rest of our honorees, whose remarkable contributions strengthen our division. Together, your hard work and commitment to excellence inspire us all and make a profound impact on our communities and our state."

2024 Overall STP Officer of the Year

Lance Corporal S.A. Brock
Special Operations

The following is a list of Region Officer of the Year winners:
*Indicates overall winner

Region 1 (Columbia area): Master Officer J.E. Dorroh

Region 2 (Greenwood area): Master Officer R.R. Threatt II

Region 3 (Greenville area): Senior Officer P.C. Thrasher

Region 4 (Rock Hill area): Lance Corporal B.J. Knight

Region 5 (Florence area): Master Officer T.A. Williams

Region 6 (Charleston area): Senior Officer M.A. Fisher

Special Operations: Lance Corporal S.A. Brock*

Special awards and recognitions included:

Rookie of the Year Award: This award is given to an STP officer who has performed well above expectations and who is also in their first year of their law enforcement career.

• Officer First Class J.T. Kirk, Region 3

Region of the Year Award: This award is presented to the STP Region with the highest total points earned across a variety of categories, including inspection activity, off-peak activity, safety talks, collision reduction efforts, and more. The points are weighted based on the number of officers employed in each Region so that each Region has a fair chance to earn recognition

• Region 3, Greenville area

Civilian Employee of the Year Award: This award is presented to a non-sworn STP employee for outstanding service, consistency, and work ethic throughout the year.

• Jennifer Roach

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.