Columbia Police Chief W.H. ‘Skip’ Holbrook saluted several well-deserving officers who have achieved new ranks within the Department during a promotional ceremony earlier this week.
Chief said, “Being a leader comes with expectations and accountability. Leaders have to be internally motivated and not afraid to admit when you’re wrong.”
At the Eau Claire Print Building on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, Chief Holbrook and Deputy Chief Kelly promoted the following thirteen officers:
Corporal Henry Ford – the 21-year United States Marine Corps veteran, (Retired 1st Sergeant) has been with the Columbia Police Department since 2013 and is currently assigned to CPD’s Recruiting Unit since 2015. The same year, Ford was recognized by his peers as the ‘Officer of the Year.’
Investigator Jesse Johnson – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2006; 10 years of his tenure has been dedicated to being a School Resource Officer. In 2006, Johnson was the J.P. Strom Award for having the highest academic score during his law enforcement training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. In 2014, he was the recipient of the CPD’s Community Service Award.
Investigator Damaris Williamson – began her law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2013 and is currently assigned as a Master Police Officer in North Region. Williamson is also a Field Training Officer (FTO). In 2018, she became a member of the CPD’s Crisis Negotiations Team.
Investigator Brandon Dudley – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2008 and is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division’s (CID) Special Victims Unit (SVU). In 2018, Dudley was recognized by his peers as ‘Investigator of the Year.’
Sergeant Mark Juergens – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2015 and has worked at other law enforcement agencies in the Midlands, and also Hamilton County, Ohio. Juergens is currently assigned to West Region in the Harbison area and has worked in several patrol regions and distinguished himself as a steady, humble and fair supervisor.
Sergeant Anthony Braham – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2012 and has 23 years of law enforcement experience. He is currently CPD’s asset forfeiture subject matter expert and processes all currency seizures. Branham was promoted to the rank of Investigator after only 3 ½ years on the street and has worked a variety of Investigator assignments; a significant portion of which has been dedicated to CPD’s Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit. Branham has received state and national recognition for his role in a Drug Enforcement Administration case where a major black tar heroin organization was dismantled.
Sergeant Carl Brown – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2008 and is a 20-year United States Army veteran. Brown is currently assigned to South Region and is the Columbia Police Department’s SWAT Team Leader. He has earned the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award, the CPD Life Saving Award and Valor Award.
Sergeant David Battiste – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 1996 as a police cadet. He’s been a Corporal since 2009 and is currently assigned to Metro Region, serves on the Crisis Negotiations Team and is the SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program’s (SCLEAP) Peer Support Coordinator for CPD.
Sergeant Anthony Viehweg – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2009 and is currently assigned to Metro Region. Viehweg has also worked in several regions in the City of Columbia and most recently completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s LEEDA Academy.
Sergeant William Beattie – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2011 and is currently assigned to the Metro Region. He has worked in the Patrol Division since graduating from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and was previously promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2016.
Lieutenant Cynthia Waggoner – began her law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2005 and is currently assigned as a supervisor in South Region. Waggoner was previously assigned to the K-9 Unit for 10 years. In 2013, she was certified as a K-9 trainer. Waggoner has completed the International Chiefs of Police (ICAP) Women’s Leadership Institute and earned the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award.
Lt. Jack Sheard – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 1997 and is currently the assistant commander of the Midlands Gang Task Force. During his tenure at CPD, Sheard has been a Field Training Officer (FTO), SWAT sniper and investigator. Sheard also has an extensive career in narcotics enforcement with more than 10 years of experience with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Task Force. Sheard has also earned the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award.
Major George Drafts – began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 1990 and is currently assigned to the Office of Professional Standards which includes Internal Affairs and was instrumental in the development and implementation of Chain of Command Discipline Review Board and the Citizen Advisory Council. During his tenure with CPD, Drafts has worked various investigations assignments, spent five years in the Organized Crime and Narcotics (OCN) Unit and a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Violent Crimes Task Force.
While addressing the newly promoted officers, Chief added, “Take care of your people. Demand the best and be the best example that you can be. Congratulations on a job well done.”