Horry County Police Department welcomes new chief Kris Leonhardt

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The Horry County Police Department began a new chapter Thursday as Kris Leonhardt was officially sworn in as chief during a ceremony in the county council chambers.

Leonhardt took the oath of office surrounded by family, community members, and fellow officers. He steps into his new role following the departure of Joseph Hill, who served for eight years.

Horry County Administrator Barry Spivey called the event “a monumental day for us here in Horry County, and I’m pleased to be a part of this and blessed to be a part of it.”

Hill expressed confidence in his successor.

“I’ve had the honor of working with this man for the last eight years, and I will tell you something the Horry County Police already knows: He’s a good man,” Hill said. “He’s going to be a phenomenal chief. I am so very proud to turn over the reins to him.”

Leonhardt said he is excited and ready for the challenge of leading the department.

“It’s an honor for me to take on the role of police chief of Horry County,” Leonhardt said. “I’ve grown up in this community. It’s an awesome opportunity for us to continue to grow and build on the momentum from Chief Hill, a great leader who taught us a lot.”

Leonhardt joined the department in 2002 and has risen through the ranks. His career began in the patrol division, and he later took on leadership roles in special operations and the bomb squad. Most recently, he served as deputy chief, overseeing operations support, which includes units like the river patrol and narcotics.

“I’ve always wanted to be better,” Leonhardt said. “I always want our department to be better. So, I think that shows through the way I lead.”

With extensive leadership training and years of experience, Leonhardt said he is prepared for the road ahead. He plans to build on the progress made under Hill, including improvements in technology, case management, and fair discipline practices. However, Leonhardt emphasized that addressing traffic issues will be a key focus.

“I’d like to build off the momentum that Chief Hill has established for us,” Leonhardt said. “We’ll continue to grow as our community grows, but I want to focus on our traffic issues. We’ve grown our traffic team under Chief Hill, reestablished it, and I’ve taken the initiative to expand that team. I know traffic is a major complaint in our county, and it’s something I want to keep addressing.”

Leonhardt also credited former North Myrtle Beach Police Chief Eric Lewis for mentoring him early in life.

“I met him as a DARE officer through the city of North Myrtle Beach as a young child,” Leonhardt said. “He had a great impact on my life, one that I think set me on the route to be in law enforcement.”

Lewis praised Leonhardt’s rise in the department.

“To see a local child come through the ranks at the Horry County Police Department and achieve what Kris has accomplished is beyond words,” Lewis said. “It was very emotional. I did cry a little when he told me, ‘I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you and the things you did for me back in fifth grade.’”

U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, who represents South Carolina’s 7th District, also praised Leonhardt’s leadership.

“His whole law enforcement career has been right here at home,” Fry said. “He knows exactly where things are happening and who to talk to during investigations. The camaraderie and collegiality within the police force right now is a positive shift compared to where we were several years ago.”

As the new chief, Leonhardt said he is committed to building public trust and strengthening community partnerships. He also plans to focus on tackling drug-related crimes.

“Public trust in the community is paramount,” Leonhardt said. “Without the community, we will not be successful.”

Leonhardt’s biggest challenge, he said, will be keeping up with the county’s growth while ensuring the police department maintains top-notch service for residents. He plans to work closely with county leaders and residents to address these issues head-on.

“We have to have our ears and eyes open, listening to [the] community, helping the community, because we live in this community, so we are all a part of the same community, striving for the same goals. But if we don’t have that partnership, we won’t be successful,” Leonhardt said.

Leonhardt will officially take over as chief on Friday, following Hill’s official retirement. He will begin his new duties next week.

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Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here .

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