Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Shane Martin joined students, teachers, and District Five leaders at Tyger River Elementary on Wednesday to shine a spotlight on school safety and the impact of school resource officers across South Carolina.
The event followed the Governor’s recent announcement that final funding has been secured to provide an armed, certified, full-time school resource officer in every public school in South Carolina. This milestone marks the fulfillment of a priority Governor McMaster set in 2018, when fewer than half of the state’s schools had dedicated SRO coverage.
Tyger River Elementary was chosen as the host site because the school received state grant funding that fully supports its resource officer position. The press conference provided an opportunity to showcase how this initiative directly impacts local schools and families.
“Having a dedicated resource officer in each school is a critical part of our mission,” said Superintendent Dr. Randall Gary. “We also know that keeping our schools safe is not our job alone — it requires strong partnerships with our families, our law enforcement, and our state leaders.”
One of the highlights of the morning came when Tyger River’s fourth- and fifth-grade student ambassadors greeted the Governor as he arrived. The students had a chance to talk with him and be a positive representation of their school— a rare opportunity they won’t soon forget. Governor McMaster also presented each ambassador with a gold challenge coin as a keepsake, a special reminder of the day. "It was just such a fabulous day at Tyger River," said Principal Shayne Daugherty. "To have the Governor come in, and his staff, and praise our school and praise our school resource officer."
In his comments, Governor McMaster praised the progress, noting that South Carolina is now a national leader in ensuring every student, teacher, and staff member is protected during the school day. Senator Martin also recognized the bipartisan support that made the legislation possible, pointing to the General Assembly’s unanimous commitment to fully funding SRO positions statewide.
Joining Dr. Gary were Daugherty, District Five Director of Safety and Emergency Services Ryan Cothran, Tyger River’s School Resource Officer Tommie Brooks, Duncan Police Chief Ben Cox, several teachers, and the student ambassadors who proudly represented their school.
The visit underscored the shared commitment of state leaders, law enforcement, and educators to protect South Carolina’s students, ensuring they can learn in safe, supportive environments.