Meet Sheriff W. Howard Wells

Personal Information :

Born May 23, 1952

Son of the late John and Julia Wells

Married to Wanda Jolly Wells

Member of Mon Aetna Baptist Church

Member of Union Masonic Lodge # 75 A.F.M.

Member of Union Elk's Lodge # 1321

Member of S.C. Sheriff's Association

Member of S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association

Educational Information :

Graduate of Union High School

Graduate of S.C. Criminal Justice Academy

Graduate of National Sheriff's Association

Graduate of F.B.I. National Academy

Presently Serves :

Board member of Union County Health Care Foundation

Board Member of S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Training Council

Board Member of Union County United Way

Sheriff Wells began his first term as the 33rd. Sheriff of Union County on January 5, 1993.  A veteran law enforcement officer, his law enforcement career began in 1975 when he became a Patrol Officer for the City of Union Police Department.  In June of 1976 he was appointed as a Deputy Sheriff with the Union County Sheriff's Office.  He continued working as a Deputy Sheriff until February 15, 1980 when he took a job as a Wildlife Officer with the S.C. Department of Wildlife and Marine Resources.  In 1992 after being employed as a wildlife officer for twelve years, he ran for Sheriff of Union County.  Sheriff Wells continues to bring professionalism and national recognition to the Union County Sheriff's Office.  He is highly praised and well respected for the manner in which he reacted to a highly publicized case, how he held together the many law enforcement officers and agencies involved,  and how he responded to the bombardment of the national media.  Among the awards and recognitions that Sheriff Wells has received are the following :

Awards:

South Carolina's highest award., 1994 Order of the Palmetto, presented by Governor Carol A. Campbell Jr.

Kentucky's highest award,  1994 Kentucky Colonel, presented by Governor Brereton C. Jones.

1995 , Sheriff of the year, presented by the South Carolina Sheriff's Association.

1995 , Law Enforcement Officer of the year nominee, presented by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.

1995, Sheriff Wells received the First,  National Law Enforcement Award for Excellence in the field of missing and exploited children presented by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

1995, Law Enforcement Commendation Medal, presented by The National Society of The Sons of The American Revolution.

1996, Harmony Award, presented by Congress of Racial Equality.

Sheriff Wells has also been presented numerous other local distinguished service awards.

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