COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame recently announced plans to create a Law Enforcement K-9 Memorial that will honor the brave K-9 officers killed in the line of duty while serving the state. 

There are several phases planned for the memorial, the first of which includes a display at the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Later, the Hall of Fame plans to include wall plaques, video displays, and even a bronze K-9 statue. 

“This is really something we’ve been looking to do for a long time,” said Jim McClary, Administrator of the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. “The law enforcement community in South Carolina loves their canine officers. The bond between the canine and the handler is a truly special one and we hope to capture that sentiment with an appropriate exhibit.”  

To help move the project along, the Hall of Fame is accepting donations to the state’s K-9 Memorial Fund. McClary says that the completion of the memorial depends on the amount raised by generous donors.  

“We couldn’t do what we do without support from both law enforcement and the community. So we’ve started accepting donations to help us build the memorial and make sure it’s done right.” 

Once completed, McClary says there will be a process for K-9 officers to be added to the memorial, with Hall of Fame staff reaching out to law enforcement organizations and agencies across the state for nominations. This is similar to the nominating process for the annual Law Enforcement Officers Line of Duty Induction Ceremony. 

If you’d like to make a donation in support of the K-9 Memorial Fund, please send a check, made out to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame, to the following address: 

          South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame
          5400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29212 
          Please include K-9 Memorial Fund in the memo line.  

Please visit https://scdps.sc.gov/hof for more information and the point of contact to ask additional questions.  

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.