NEWBERRY COUNTY — The Newberry Exchange Club has named Lieutenant Wesley Palmore of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office its Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Palmore, supervisor of the school resource officer unit in Newberry County, is both respected and loved throughout Newberry County by students, teachers and administrators. His level head and calm approach make him a great asset in the situations he encounters.
He works to build relationships with the students understanding that these relationships are not just important now, but can change the perception of law enforcement for the students for a life time.
Palmore is a great decision maker, and has the unique ability to understand short and long term consequences of decisions.
He has worked to build relationships countywide that inspire a spirit of trust and respect for law enforcement through the school system and is invaluable in his leadership and service to our schools and community.
In addition, Palmore gave his time to have a law enforcement Explorers program. This program took troubled youth and engaged them in law enforcement showing them there is more to life than what they had seen to this point.
Palmore understands that positive interaction is as important if not more important than the enforcement interaction to change the attitudes of young people toward law enforcement.
Palmore recently retired from the S.C. National Guard after obtaining the rank of captain. He served multiple active duty deployments including Afghanistan and Kosovo and was awarded the Bronze Star for gallantry during his service.
Palmore is a graduate of Benedict College and was recently inducted in the Benedict College Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments while running track.
Palmore has worked with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office since 1997. Palmore and his wife, Cynthia, have two children. They live in Prosperity.