Historic Groundbreaking Commences for SLED’s Pee Dee Office in Florence

Start of Next-Gen Law Enforcement Facilities

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has stirred an air of renewed enthusiasm and anticipation in the dynamic city of Florence with the commencement of a pivotal groundbreaking ceremony. Thursday morning witnessed the beginning of a new chapter when SLED undertook the initiation rites for its novel Pee Dee office. This monumental facility is strategically located at the intersection of Anne Pearce Drive and South Evander Drive on the Francis Marion University (FMU) grounds.

Mark Keel, SLED Chief, revealed that completions for the well-devised facility are slated for Spring 2025. The ingenious architectural design of the edifice includes an Emergency Operation Center, intended for usage when other SLED offices could potentially be inoperative due to natural disasters. Keel also expressed his optimism for the Pee Dee office to become a benchmark for future law enforcement setups across the state.

“There was a lot of thought put into this building. We didn’t just design this building for Florence. We hopefully designed this building for a regional office in Greenville and in Walterboro. We want to use this as a motto for the state. For us. And hopefully, in the years to come, we can go back to the General Assembly. And duplicate this in other areas of the state.”

The Leatherman Legacy

Notably, the ceremonial unveiling couldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of the late Sen. Hugh Leatherman. Keel expressed that Leatherman exhibited his commitment to securing funding for the Pee Dee facility just a month before his unfortunate demise in 2021. Notwithstanding his absence, Leatherman’s vision continues to bear fruit. His widow, Jean Leatherman, was present at the ceremony and reflected on her late husband’s ambition for the growth and development of South Carolina.

“Nothing would make Hugh Leatherman happier. He loved building things. And he loves projects and construction. Our family is thrilled to see what’s going on. We are still thrilled that the things that he continue to build are still going on. His vision. And he was a visionary. He was a great planner.”

A Game Changer for Pee Dee

According to Sen. Kent Williams, the establishment of SLED’s office in Florence is a decisive game-changer that will prove advantageous to law enforcement across the Pee Dee region. The location of the facility was calculated, with FMU donating the accessible land to the state for SLED’s office.

A Double Win for Francis Marion University

FMU President Fred Carter elucidated that the facility’s establishment is a collaborative triumph for both FMU and its students studying criminal justice and aspiring to venture into forensic science.

Carter also announced the construction of a 50,000 square foot building for environmental science and forestry encompassed by a three-acre lake. The lake and walkway are meant to be a shared space with SLED, marking a significant addition to their community.

“It will be a stunningly beautiful location when that’s done,”

Carter further disclosed an additional 20 acres around the building that SLED can employ for possible further development. The news of SLED’s new office in Florence has garnered warm responses from the law enforcement community, with widespread excitement about the establishment of an exemplary space for law and order in the state.