Sheriff LC Knight reflects on his long career in law enforcement

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – Dorchester County Sheriff LC Knight will soon retire after years of public service. He reflected on his career in law enforcement during a sit-down interview Tuesday.

“I would ride with Daddy on calls and go to meetings with Daddy on calls. kind of figured that was something I wanted to try,” he said.

His father, Sheriff Carl Knight, served Dorchester County for nearly 30 years. LC began his career working at the State Law Enforcement Division for roughly 29 years.

He decided to run for Dorchester County Sheriff but lost the race. He tried again about 16 years ago and won.

“Over the years we’ve been very fortunate, and I want people to understand being the sheriff, in my opinion, this is not a one-man job. When you’ve got 328 employees, that’s a team,” he said.

And he’s made many enhancements to the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office during his time as sheriff.

“We’ve established a full-fledged canine team. We’ve got a dive team. We’ve got a SWAT team- just last year we were able to find, the deputy administrator found, where we could get a grant and get a bearcat which was much needed.”

He added that the Dorchester County Detention Center, named after him, has been a great asset. “We’ve been in it for seven, eight years,” he said,

Sheriff Knight says his focus has been keeping people safe.

“Dorchester County is still most probably in the top five or six in growth. I think last year’s book we were in the top four or five in safety – being the safest area in the state. I think that’s a pretty good accomplishment.”

On Tuesdays, Sheriff Knight has lunch with his old buddies at Oscar’s. Buddies like Jimmy Limehouse.

“I think he’s been one of the best sheriffs we’ve ever had. He’s also a good community leader,” said Limehouse. “He’s done what any sheriff good sheriff will do. He’s made it as safe as possible.”

Voters in Dorchester County will head to the polls next month to decide who they want to lead the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Knight will remain in office until the new sheriff is sworn in in early January 2025.

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