Tri-County Degree Played Major Role in Promotion, Says Lt. Darrell Hill

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/28/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

ANDERSON --- Lt. Darrell Hill personifies two attributes the public expects and wants in a police officer -- good service and courteousness.

"When out on patrol, I never know from day to day what I will be doing," said Hill, who is the lieutenant on third shift at the Anderson County Sheriff's department and a 1998 graduate of Tri-County Technical College's Criminal Justice program. "It's the most complex job there is. But as (retired) Chief Magistrate Carl Anderson told me, if you treat everybody like you want them to treat your mother or sister, then you will get along fine."

"Darrell is exactly the kind of officer the public wants," said Lew Holton, who led the Tri-County's Criminal Justice department for 14 years until his retirement June 30. "His work ethic and his character have served him well because he has moved right up."

Lt. Hill is in charge of third shift and supervises 16 officers, approves reports and answers complaints. "My role is to look out for the department as well as the officers," he said. "I make sure everything is done properly."

He says his Tri-County degree has made him a better officer, and he applies the skills he learned in every class every day. "Education has opened doors for me," said Lt. Hill, who started at the Sheriff's Department 12 years ago as a deputy and moved up the ladder to corporal, sergeant and, most recently, lieutenant.

"I wouldn't be a lieutenant without the degree," he said. "I was a sergeant when I was in college, and the degree played a major role in my promotion. It takes hard work and dedication, but it's worth it."

Hill remembers getting off of an often-grueling shift and driving to classes at Tri-County. "Tri-County has great instructors who understand the rotating shift schedules in law enforcement. They all realized my occupation and were willing to work with me when I couldn't attend a class. But," he added, "I had to carry my own load. I often tell officers, who say they don't have time to pursue a degree, about how Tri-County instructors were willing to work with me."

"We have at least 12 graduates working here at the Sheriff's Department," he added.

After graduating from T. L. Hanna High School, he received a partial scholarship to run cross-country track from a junior college but declined because it didn't offer a criminal justice major. "I wanted to be a police officer, and I chose Tri-County because of its outstanding criminal justice department," he said.

He may have given up his cross-country training, but his interest in sports never waned. Since the age of 14, the YMCA of Anderson served as a second home for Hill, who received a scholarship from the United Way to participate in YMCA sports. "Coach Joe Drennon (YMCA Vice President of Operations) took care of me like I was his own son," Lt. Hill remembers.

"Today I pay him and others back through volunteering my time at the YMCA as an officiator and as a coach for four basketball teams and soccer and t-ball teams. Lt. Hill spends time every day at the Y. "It's very rewarding to have such an impression on these kids. It's a great feeling to see them grow up and mature."

He was awarded the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association Heroes Award several years ago for his dedication and volunteer service through his leadership of area youth sports programs at the YMCA of Anderson.

Other accolades he's received include the Jefferson Award Volunteer of the Year by WYFF-TV 4 and 1993 Officer of the Year for the Sheriff's Department.

"I see myself in these kids. I know that I am positively influencing hundreds a year through the basketball camp and other activities. I've been better than blessed. It's a great feeling. I could go back to the Y full-time, but I love it here at the Sheriff's Department.

"If I had to do all over, I'd go back to Tri-County," he said. "I'm glad that Lew emphasized the importance of good communication skills and report writing. Often, the math is equally as important in report writing, and the speech classes were helpful since I do a lot of public speaking to groups. I even use the keyboarding I learned because we use computers here. I still use every class to some extent every day."

"I'll be in law enforcement to the end," said Lt. Hill, who aspires one day to become the sheriff of Anderson County. "I want to retire in law enforcement."
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