Horry County Police Chief retires, interim chief named

Cpt. Saundra Rhodes Bio:

Rhodes began her work in law enforcement as a detective working undercover with the Horry County Police Department in January of 1993. In that capacity, she investigated narcotics...

Cpt. Saundra Rhodes Bio:

Rhodes began her work in law enforcement as a detective working undercover with the Horry County Police Department in January of 1993. In that capacity, she investigated narcotics and vice crimes throughout Horry County. In October of 1997 she was promoted to sergeant and for nearly four years implemented the deployment and supervised four of the department’s six Community Oriented Policing and Enforcement (C.O.P.E.) Teams.

In March of 2001 she was promoted to lieutenant, and in that position she managed the department’s Uniformed Patrol Division as watch commander, managed the Narcotics and Vice Section and managed the Support Services Section.

As a captain since November of 2006, Rhodes serves...

Capt. Saundra Rhodes had accepted but then rescinded her acceptance of the...

Sources: Horry County Police Chief to retire

Johnny Morgan spoke at an October 2011 County Council Meeting.

By: SCNow Staff | SCNOW
Published: February 10, 2012
Updated: February 10, 2012 - 2:09 PM

CONWAY, SC - Horry County Police Chief Johnny Morgan is retiring.

Morgan announced Friday via email to his staff of his decision to retire. County spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier confirmed the news later Friday.

Morgan plans to take extended leave until June 30, 2012 and then he will officially retire. His last day serving as chief is Feb. 17.

Assistant County Administrator Paul Whitten appointed Cpt. Saundra Rhodes as Interim Chief.

Rhodes had accepted another chief job in May 2011 with the city of Hartsville, but she rescinded her acceptance because of family responsiblities.

"Johnny has served our county well and has led our police department to be one of the finest police departments in the state," Whitten said in a news release.

Morgan first became Horry County Police Chief in September 2004. He suceeded former chief Paul Goward.

"It is with mixed emotions that I am retiring as the Chief of Police with Horry County," Morgan said in a statement. "I would like to thank the County for the many opportunities I have been afforded through my 38 years of employment with the Horry County Police Department."

This comes days after the South Carolina Attorney General’s office announced it would not bring charges against the Horry County Police Department after a SLED investigation.

"My intention was always to leave this year, however due to the SLED investigation I felt my retirement wasn't even a thought until such time as the department was cleared and the case against the department was closed. That day has now come and it is time for me to leave," Morgan said.

According to a letter released by Assistant Attorney General Allen Myrick to SLED Chief Mark Keel, the claims made in the anonymous letter against HCPD lack "prosecutorial merit and this office is declining to proceed."

The county legislative delegation asked County Council to investigate the department after an anonymous letter alleged corruption at HCPD.

The county conducted an internal investigation into the department and found no evidence to support the accusations in the letter. Council still decided that SLED should conduct its own audit into the police department's evidence room.

In Morgan's email to HCPD staff sent just after noon Friday, he praised the workers he led for the past seven years.

"We have accomplished much with this department and certainly a long way from July 1, 1974 when I started as a patrolman. I will miss you all, good luck and know that as far as I am concerned, you are the very best of the best bar none," Morgan wrote.