Emergency: 911        Non-Emergency: (803) 436-2774
Location: 1281 North Main Street, Sumter, SC 29153
     Mailing: P.O. Box 430, Sumter, SC 29151

Sheriff of Sumter County

Sheriff2

Sheriff Anthony Dennis

Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis was educated in Sumter School District 2, graduating from Hillcrest High School in 1976.  The sheriff holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminology from Central Carolina Technical College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology from Saint Leo College, and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University.  He is also a graduate of: the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, Mid and Upper-Level Management through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, the FBI National Academy, the 90th National Sheriff’s Institute Executive Level Management School, Leadership Sumter, and is a certified instructor through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. 

A 41-year veteran of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, he began his career in 1982.  Upon promotion to sergeant, he assumed duties as shift lieutenant of the patrol division, where he was responsible for managing seven officers.  Subsequently, he assumed the responsibility as commander of the narcotics division where he had a great impact on law enforcement and the residents of Sumter County.

In April of 1996, Sheriff Dennis was promoted to major of operations.  His promotion to chief deputy in September of 2000 was followed by his election to Sheriff in 2004, taking over the duties as the highest-ranking law enforcement officer of Sumter County in January 2005.

Additionally, Sheriff Dennis held the office of president of the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association; and is a member of the FBI National Academy, National Sheriff’s Association, South Carolina Law Enforcement Association, Palmetto Law Enforcement Association, and South Carolina Association of Countywide Elected Executives.  He is chairman of the Charlie Kubala Memorial Scholarship Fund, chairman of Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Boys and Girls Youth Inc., and head of the Homeland Security Committee for Sumter County.  He is a member of the Criminal Justice Program Advisory Board and a member of the Sumter School District Community Advisory Council.

Sheriff Dennis has served as an Honorary Squadron Commander at Shaw Air Force Base. He has also been featured in IMARA Women’s Magazine and Diversity Works Magazine.  He has received multiple prestigious awards such as Alumni of the Year from Central Carolina Technical College, NAACP Marvin Scarborough Community Service Award, Freddie Solomon Foundation Award, Citation from the VFW and VFWA 10813, and the Manning Avenue Heritage Award.      

Sheriff Dennis is an active member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church where he serves as a trustee.  He is the son of Mrs. Lottie Dennis and the late Mr. Jimmy Dennis Jr. of Rembert.  He and his wife, Lorraine, have a son, Grayson. He is an adjunct professor at both Morris College and Central Carolina Technical College.  He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and a Master Mason with the Catchall Masonic Lodge #425. 

Sheriff Dennis can be contacted by email at adennis@sumtercountysc.org, or by telephone at  (803) 436-2053.

His beliefs are:  A Man Who Stands for Nothing Will Fall for Anything and You Are Not Your Circumstances. You Are Your Possibilities.