From Ashley Hunter, City of Cayce – Cayce Department of Public Safety Director Byron Snellgrove, announced his retirement, Thursday, after more than 35 years in law enforcement.

Upon his retirement, Snellgrove was praised for his leadership and his commitment to professionalism and community policing, in a City of Cayce press release, Snellgrove’s retirement announcement “is bittersweet as he is loved by our Cayce officers, members of the community, Cayce staff and Cayce leaders,” was stated in the release.

“His dedication to our City, to the Department and to our amazing officers is something we will never forget,” stated Mayor Elise Partin. “We are so thankful for his service to our City and his compassion for our citizens.”

Prior to accepting the role as Director in 2016, he served as Public Safety Lieutenant, Patrol Operations and Training Division Commander for the Cayce Department of Public Safety since 2013.

Chief Snellgrove started his career in public safety 38 years ago in Beaufort County. With a focus on the narcotics unit, he joined the Cayce Department of Public Safety in April 1997. After leading the Narcotics Enforcement Team of Lexington County, Chief Snellgrove joined the Cayce Department of Public Safety again in October 2012 with certifications in Internal Affairs, Police and Fire Instructor, and as an NRA Instructor.

Director Snellgrove is also certified as an Emergency Response to Terrorism Instructor, Hazard Materials and Technician Instructor, and a Weapons of Mass Destructions Live Agent Instructor. He is a former member of the University of South Carolina Pistol Team, Former State Advisor of the South Carolina Association of Law Enforcement Explorers, and former State Secretary in SC Gang Investigators Associations.

Under the leadership of Director Snellgrove, the Cayce Department of Public Safety achieved many accolades. Chief Snellgove is most proud of the following:

• Receiving state accreditation in 2019 and being re-accredited in 2020
• Receiving numerous prestigious awards for the Department and personnel
• Expanding the Department to better serve the community safely and efficiently
• Creating a Community Policing program (COPS) and a full, dedicated K9 team

“We wish him the very best in his retirement and know that he has left an incredible mark on law enforcement in South Carolina,” stated JJ Jones, former Deputy Director of the Cayce Department of Public Safety, and current Executive Director of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Association.

City Manager, Tracy Hegler states she is “forever grateful for having been able to work with him.  While I am happy for him being able to enjoy this well-deserved next chapter, he will be dearly missed.  I know what he has done to lead an exceptional department and to protect the citizens of Cayce will not be forgotten. We are proud of him.”

Chief Snellgrove will retire on December 31, 2021.