The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has promoted a veteran trooper to serve as a Major of Administrative Support for the South Carolina Highway Patrol. 

Captain R. Kelley Hughes has been named Administrative Support Major to succeed Michael C. Carson, who is retiring on June 30, 2023, after 34 years of service to the Highway Patrol. Major Hughes has been with the Highway Patrol for 32 years and has served as the commander of Troop Ten’s Community Relations, Recruiting, and Employment Unit (CRREU) since 2017.

During much of his career, he has served the Highway Patrol in a community relations and public information capacity. He became one of the first Community Relations Officers (CRO) for the Highway Patrol in 2000 and worked his way up to the rank of lieutenant. In 2017, he was promoted to captain over the Community Relations, Recruiting, and Employment Unit where he has since supervised all agency community outreach, employment efforts, and public information to include Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. His approach to community relations helped to cultivate goodwill with the general public and develop strong partnerships with the media and community leaders. Major Hughes was named Troop 1 Trooper of the Year and Department of Public Safety Officer of the Year in 2001.

He is a member of Lexington Baptist Church, the National Information Officers Association (NIOA), and the Uniformed Safety Educations Officers Workshop (U.S.E.O.W.) and volunteers with the Freedom and Hope Foundation, A non-profit benefiting wounded service members and children with life-threatening illnesses.

“Major Hughes has demonstrated extraordinary leadership capabilities and will be a great addition to the Highway Patrol’s Command Staff,” said Colonel Christopher N. Williamson, South Carolina Highway Patrol Commander. “We are fortunate to have someone with his credentials and diverse qualifications to help lead administrative support and take a more prominent role in meeting emerging challenges with innovative solutions.”

A native of Sumter, Major Hughes is married to Tammy Hughes. He and his wife currently reside in Lexington. They have two children, Bradley Hughes and Amanda Martin. His parents are retired SCHP Lieutenant Kenneth H. Hughes (deceased) and Carol Hughes. 

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.