ADMINISTRATION

Sheriff Dennis

    Sheriff Anthony Dennis began his career with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office in 1982. During his service with the agency, Sheriff Dennis has served as a Shift Lieutenant, Commander of the Narcotics Division, Administrative Major, and as the Chief Deputy before being elected Sheriff in 2004.

    Since taking office in January 2005, Sheriff Dennis has overseen the successful implementation of programs such as the Community Action Team, The Third Judicial Circuit Drug Analysis Lab, a gang task force and the Boys to Men Conference. His commitment to providing the best possible service to the public is unparalleled.

    Sheriff Dennis is a life-long native of Sumter and is a graduate of Hillcrest High School, has a Bachelors Degree from St Leo University and a Masters Degree from Troy State University. Sheriff Dennis is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, one of only four in the history of the agency.

    Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner, Commander of Operations, joined the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office in 1983 as a patrol deputy. He went on to serve as a shift lieutenant before being promoted to Captain of the former COPS (Community Oriented Policing Service) division, a philosophy which was later adopted agency-wide. He went on to oversee the Civil Process and Family Court Divisions prior to being promoted to Major over the Uniformed Divisions. In January, 2011, he was promoted to Chief Deputy. In this position, he oversees the daily operations of the Patrol Division, Civil Process and Family Court Divisions, the CAT Team, Special Operations, Honor Guard, as well as being the primary point of contact to the public. Chief Deputy Gardner is a graduate of St Leo’s University and holds a Masters degree from Troy State University.

    Lt Col Gary Metts, Commander of Administration, oversees day to day operations within the Sheriff’s Office. Lt Col Metts served in the United States Air Force as a K-9 handler and trainer before being assigned to the US Secret Service detachment. Since coming to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office in 1991, Lt Col Metts served as a patrol deputy before taking over the DARE Program and Explorers. While there, he started the first DARE summer camp for the state and was president of the South Carolina DARE program before being promoted to Major over the Administrative Division. In January, 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He oversees the purchasing and finances for our agency, legal, employment, grants, policy, discipline, technology, Sex Offender Registry, and public concerns. Lt Col Metts is a graduate of St Leo’s University, holds a Masters degree from Troy State University, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

    Major Larry Florence, Commander of the Investigative Divisions, has been with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office since coming on full time in 1984. Previously, he had served for 2 years as a Reserve Deputy. Major Florence served as a shift lieutenant before being promoted to Captain of the Patrol Division. In January of 2005, he was promoted to Major where he was tasked with the command of the Investigative Divisions, which includes Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, the Victim Assistance program and he oversees the Third Judicial Circuit Drug Analysis Lab which is operated by our office.