“Whether he is making command decisions on how to protect citizens and officers, as in the Graniteville disaster, or setting the standard of service his Department provides by achieving National Accreditation, Sheriff Michael Hunt not only has enhanced the Office of Sheriff, but he has raised the bar to a level that is second to none,” said Sheriff Leon Lott of Richland County.

Sheriff Hunt demonstrated his professionalism and leadership in January 2005 during the train derailment and chemical spill in Graniteville. Not only did the disaster garner national attention, but Aiken County earned the reputation in the law enforcement community as a leader in cooperation. The recognition Sheriff Hunt received from his peers led Governor Mark Sanford to recognize Sheriff Hunt’s extraordinary leadership with the awarding of the state’s highest honor, The Order of the Silver Crescent.

In 2003, Michael E. Hunt became the 18th Sheriff of Aiken County during a special election. He ran unopposed a year later to win his first full term, an accomplishment not seen in Aiken County in more than 40 years. His law enforcement career spans more than two decades. Since taking office, Sheriff Hunt has restructured ACSO to place more emphasis on improved response times and greater accessibility of deputies to the citizens he is sworn to serve.

The South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association will honor Sheriff Hunt during its annual awards banquet to be held July 12, on Hilton Head Island.