After being laid off for almost a year due to budget constraints, Lieutenant James Ashford returned to his previous position as Ridgeway police officer in September following an unanimous vote by Ridgeway Town Council to rehire him after the town’s one law enforcement position became vacant.

Ashford’s return included a 90-day probational period, which will be evaluated by the council.

Because the council will not meet again before the end of the year, Ridgeway Mayor Charlene Herring said the council will review Ashford’s performance during its monthly meeting in January.

“We will discuss it in executive session, because this is a personnel matter,” the Mayor said.

Mayor Pro Tem Donald Prioleau praised Ashford and his devotion to public safety.

“He’s doing an excellent job,” Prioleau said. “I’ve gotten several good comments on him since he’s been back.”

When Ashford was laid off in October 2008, Ridgeway was left with only a Police Chief. Then last August, Police Chief Wayne Courtney was terminated -- leaving the town without a public safety officer.

“We said if we ever had another opportunity to hire him (Ashford) back, we would,” Herring said.

Ashford started his career in law enforcement in 1979 with the Ridgeway Police Department. In 1981, he went to work with the then Winnsboro Police Department. He remained in his hometown until 1986 when he went to work as a public safety officer for the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Mental Retardation. Also during his time in Columbia, Ashford worked with the Capitol Police at the Governor’s Mansion.

On Wednesday, Ashford said he was happy to have another opportunity to serve the residents of Ridgeway.

“It’s great,” he said.

Ashford beat out 13 other applicants for the position. Some applicants vying for the position had extensive backgrounds in law enforcement, while others were looking for a new career path.

Applicants:

Christopher W. Champe, of Elgin, is a contractor with Champe Builders, LLC.

Lonnie Brooks Houser, of Camden, is currently employed as a Deputy Sheriff with Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office in Lugoff . He has been with the Sheriff’s Office since July 2005. Prior to that, he worked at Kershaw Detention Center from September 2003-July 2005.

John Russell Watson, of Rock Hill, has served as a Patrol Supervisor with Guard One Protective Services (2008-09), an Area Supervisor/Lieutenant with Wackenhut Corporation (2007-08), a Patrol Officer with Metro Security and Special Police (2007), a Security Guard/Armory in the U.S. Marine Corp. (2004-06) and an employee with A Special Touch Limousine Service (2001-04). He is currently studying at York Technical College for Criminal Justice.

Charlie Burton, of Ridgeway, worked with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office in Oklahoma from 1980-2002, before retiring as Deputy Sheriff. Prior to his tenure with the Sheriff's Office, he was a Patrol Officer with Sand Springs Police Department in Oklahoma. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakland University in Michigan.

Gregory A. Miller, of Winnsboro, is currently a state trooper with the SCDPS Highway Patrol. Before accepting the position with the Highway Patrol in 2007, he worked with the Chester Police Department in Chester (2007), SCDPS as a state transport police (2005-2006) and Fairfield County Sheriff's Office (2003-2005). Miller also served in the Army National Guard from March 1987 through March 2007.

Peter J. Murphy III, of Elgin, worked with Brookline Massachusetts Police Department from 1972-2003. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University.

Mary Anne Tolbert, of Winnsboro, was employed with the Winnsboro Department of Public Safety from 2008-09. She worked with the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office from 1998-2008 and as a Police Officer with the Bureau of Protective Services from 1997-98. While with FCSO Tolbert served as a Road Deputy, Victim’s Advocate, Criminal Investigations and Lieutenant of Investigations.

Michael W. Carrell, of Lugoff, has been employed as a Deputy Sheriff/Blood Hound Tracking Unit with Kershaw County Sheriff's Office since 2008. From 2004-08 he worked with Winnsboro Department of Public Safety as a Sergeant of Patrol/Narcotics and with the Fairfield County Detention Center as a Corrections Officer in 2004.

Frank A. Murphy, of Chester has been a trooper with the SCDPS Highway Patrol since 2004. Prior to that, he was a Gate Agent with Piedmont Airlines at Charlotte Douglas Airport from 2001-2005. He worked as a trooper with the SCDPS Highway Patrol from 1977 until he retired in 2001.

David Prigge J.R., of Columbia, was a stock leader at Target from 2001-04. He worked a host of other jobs from 2004 until he went to work as a Security Guard with Wackenhut from 2007-08. In 2008, he was hired by Richland County Sheriff's Office. He is currently enrolled at Midlands Technical College.

Christopher Wages, of Blythewood, is currently the Warrant Division Supervisor for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. He has been employed there since 2004. Prior to that, he worked as a real estate agent from 1997-2004. From 1993-97, Wages was a Dispatcher for Richland County Sheriff's Department.

Robert Jackson was employed with the Riley County Police Department from 2007-08.  He also served as a Reserve Sheriff Deputy with Richland County Sheriff's Department.

Gary Jackson, of Lugoff, has worked for Johnston Supply, Jackson Painting, R.E. Michael Carrier Corporation and Ramada Inn in Columbia.