Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Barnwell County Sheriff Steve Griffith (right) presents Lt. Eric Kirkland (left) the Excellence in Community Engagement Award that he received from LAW Publications for his efforts with the 2022 Law Expo.
Lieutenant of Community Relations Eric Kirkland of the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has been awarded by a nationally recognized publication for orchestrating the 2022 BCSO Law Expo at Veterans Memorial Park.
“To be recognized or acknowledged for doing something you absolutely love is a feeling I cannot describe, but to know your efforts have, from our little town of Barnwell, gained you such a huge honor is absolutely wonderful,” said Lt. Kirkland.
The Excellence in Community Engagement Award presented to Lt. Kirkland by LAW Publications is given to a law enforcement officer who continuously and relentlessly goes above and beyond to serve their community.
“I'm just proud of him, very, very proud,” said Sheriff Steve Griffith.
In 2021, BCSO was awarded with Community Event of the Year for that year’s Law Expo as a department, but Lt. Kirkland was personally recognized for his role in bringing it to fruition this past year.
“The creation of Expo in year one was to give the community an opportunity to engage with law enforcement and view the equipment used. It was also a unique way of letting the community see law enforcement in a positive way instead of categorizing all of us by the actions of some,” said Lt. Kirkland.
“The second year, we expanded our expo to include community organizations, churches, businesses from far and near, colleges/universities, and nonprofits,” said Lt. Kirkland. “This gave the community an opportunity to engage with law enforcement and take advantage of resources right then and there.”
After the Law Expo received the Community Event of the Year award, Lt. Kirkland sat down with LAW Publications’ Megan Drye who writes, “1st Sergeant Kirkland, and the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office clearly represent a force that is built with levels of respect, strength, empathy, loyalty, and a never-ending pursuit of excellence.”
The Law Expo is a large, annual event of the BCSO, but Lt. Kirkland and Sheriff Griffith are creating innovative ways to connect with the community year-round.
Storytimes in McDonald’s, Stuff-a-Bus toy giveaways, and Dessert with a Deputy are only a few of the events Lt. Kirkland has orchestrated for the benefit of the community.
December 2022’s Stuff-a-Bus event stands out to Lt. Kirkland due to all the families who were able to celebrate Christmas because of it.
“We were able to help so many people that really needed it and the community supported our efforts with awesome participation,” said Lt. Kirkland.
Sheriff Griffith and Lt. Kirkland have known each other since early in their law enforcement careers and share a passion for developing the best possible relationship with the community.
“I've known him since he was a young man,” said Sheriff Griffith. “When I first started in law enforcement a long, long time ago. His uncle was actually one of my first supervisors on the road, and of course Eric would come around to see his uncle.”
Although he grew up around Barnwell County’s law enforcement, Lt. Kirkland went on to serve in Orangeburg and as an investigator in Lexington.
“He and I always talked when he'd come home, and I always tried to get him to come back, door was always open,” said Sheriff Griffith. “He called me one day and he said, ‘I'm ready to come home.’”
At the time Sheriff Griffith was Chief Deputy, and Lt. Kirkland began sharing his ideas of how the department can better engage with the community with events such as the Law Expo.
“When I got elected, my three goals were to work on the drugs and the gangs, to start a public relations unit, and to try to get the people back with law enforcement like it used to be,” said Sheriff Griffith, who then approached Barnwell County Council asking for a permanent public relations unit which was approved.
“That's when we pulled him off the road, put him in public relations, and the rest is what it is,” said Sheriff Griffith. “I'm just proud of the overall job that he's done, and nobody is more deserving of that award than Lieutenant Kirkland. He is just like family to me. I just hope as long as I'm around, I hope he stays with me.”
“This honor that has been bestowed on me is awesome, but I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Barnwell County and our community partners for supporting our events and programs,” said Lt. Kirkland. “Sheriff Steve ‘Grits’ Griffith for having enough faith and trust in me to allow me daily to engage with this community and neighboring everyday with 100 percent support.”
Lt. Kirkland continues to thank “the BCSO team for their hard work and efforts in ensuring that in their perspective roles, they place the citizens of this county first.”
“Lastly, my mother (Peggy) for her long struggle that came with many sacrifices and bumps along the way,” said Lt. Kirkland. “I thank God daily for many things including allowing her to see her work was not in vain.”
Lt. Kirkland is planning this year’s Law Expo with the help of the criminal justice students at the Barnwell County Career Center and the entire BCSO team.
“We are fortunate and making great strides in creating positive relations with our youth. They are eager and desiring to work with us and we absolutely love working with them,” said Lt. Kirkland.
Lt. Kirkland leads each day in this community remembering a quote from Muhammad Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”
“Serving the citizens of this county in the role that I was given allows me to do just that and I consider that an esteemed honor,” said Lt. Kirkland.
To read more about BCSO’s dedication to their relationship with the community, visit www.lawpublications.net/post/barnwell-county-sheriffs-office-leading-with-heart.
