The S.C. Department of Public Safety honored two people on Friday for their work in Bamberg County.

SCDPS’s 2023 Trooper of the Year and Telecommunications Operator of the Year were selected from regional winners across South Carolina.

Lance Cpl. B.A. Frazier is the statewide Trooper of the Year.

A late-night traffic stop for speeding took a horrifying turn. During Frazier’s second approach to the vehicle, the driver opened fire, shooting Frazier in the face before speeding off.

Despite his injuries, Frazier relayed a detailed description of the fleeing vehicle.

A fellow trooper heard the distress call and description and was able to apprehend the suspect after a short pursuit.

Kimeko White was named the statewide Telecommunications Operator of the Year.

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When Lance Corporal B.A. Frazier was shot during a traffic stop in Bamberg County, Kimeko relied on her training and 18 years of experience, documenting essential details from the injured trooper and relayed critical information until the suspect’s eventual arrest.

SCDPS reports she exhibited remarkable composure, unwavering calmness and professionalism throughout the entire ordeal.

“This annual ceremony is, without a doubt, one of my favorite events of the year,” SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV said. “It is an incredible opportunity to celebrate our top troopers and telecommunications professionals and give them the recognition they deserve. Many of us can only imagine the sacrifices that these heroes endure when they show up day in and day out to make our state a safer place. We can never express our appreciation enough for their life-saving work.”

Col. Christopher Williamson, commander of the S.C. Highway Patrol, said “It truly is a pleasure to serve shoulder to shoulder with such exemplary men and women — not only those recognized today, but every member of the Highway Patrol who gives their all in order to protect our local communities. Public service comes with honor, but also its fair share of danger, uncertainty and challenging situations. The collective courage and devotion of these individuals have set the pace for future generations, and I could not be more proud of them.”

D. Duckson, who was a Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office deputy during the incident, was given the Special Recognition Award for providing backup during the shooting and injury of Frazier

SCHP 2023 Trooper of the Year

Troop winners:

• Troop 1, Post A (Clarendon, Sumter): Trooper First Class C.B. Cherry

• Troop 2, Post A (Laurens, Newberry): Lance Corporal R.W. Spires

• Troop 3, Post C (Greenville): Lance Corporal J.C. Owens

• Troop 4, Post D (Chesterfield, Lancaster): Trooper First Class M.C. Ferrari

• Troop 5, Post A (Darlington, Marlboro): Lance Corporal J.R. Timmons

• Troop 6, Post C (Beaufort, Jasper): Senior Trooper D.R. Coon

• Troop 7, Post A (Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Hampton): Lance Corporal B.A. Frazier

• Troop 8 (Area Coordinated Enforcement Unit, Mid-State): Master Trooper G.S. Shropshire

• Troop 9, Post D (Pee Dee Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team): Lance Corporal T.A. Skoczylas

• Troop 10 (Insurance Enforcement Unit): Master Trooper J.L. Baldwin

Regional Telecommunications Center Winners:

• Blythewood Telecommunications Center: Telecommunications Operator I, Destany Hodgkin

• Charleston Telecommunications Center: Telecommunications Operator IV, Kimeko White

• Florence Telecommunications Center: Telecommunications Operator IV, Dawn Peacock

• Greenville Telecommunications Center: Telecommunications Operator II, Rosemarie Holland

Director’s Medal of Valor Awards: The highest award bestowed by SCDPS. This award recognizes those who have distinguished themselves by their acts of bravery and courage while taking great personal risks above and beyond the call of duty. This medal may be awarded for acts that occur while the employee is on duty or off duty.

• Lance Corporal J.C. Owens (Troop 3, Post C)

• Trooper First Class B.J. Fowler (Troop 4, Post B)

• Corporal B.J. Tarter (Troop 7, Post A)

• First Sergeant D. Johnson (Troop 10, Insurance Enforcement Unit)

Director’s Purple Heart Award: An award that is presented to sworn employees who have been injured or wounded in the line of duty in 2023.

• Lance Corporal B.A. Frazier (Troop 7, Post A)

• Lance Corporal M.D. Gressette (Troop 7, Post B)

• Lance Corporal Z.G. Rickard (Troop 8, ACE Mid-State Motor Unit)

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