71 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Ronald “Rusty” Woomer. Along with his partner, Woomer kidnapped, raped and shot two local women, one fatally. The other lived and wrote a book about her experience. In 1980, Michael ran against several opponents and won. Over the next 12 years, he had no opposition. Some of the many accomplishments during his tenure included securing funds to purchase bulletproof vests for all of the county’s deputies, spearheading a neighborhood watch program initiative to combat burglary, increasing training and certification for deputies, appointing a full-time SLED drug agent to serve the county and busting two drug smuggling rings in which he seized 30,000 pounds of cocaine. Also, for the first time in Georgetown County he put deputies in uniforms and secured county vehicles for deputies. Up until this time, deputies used their personal vehicles. Additionally, Michael hired the first female officer and the first crime prevention officer in the county. In 1990, sheriffs from around the state nominated him for the Sheriff of the Year Award, which he was presented with in July of that year. He also served as president of the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association. In 1992, Michael left office. Woodrow passed away that October. Michael has since retired back home in Georgetown County, where he enjoys spending time with his wife Vida Miller and their family and friends. Reflecting on the time he served as sheriff, Michael said, “While it was challenging to be on call all the time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, chief law enforcement was a rewarding job because it was a service-based opportunity. I enjoyed helping people in different ways, almost on a daily basis.” Now, Michael’s nephew Carter Weaver is serving in his second term as sheriff. Having worked in various roles with SLED since 1986, such as bloodhound tracking, SWAT, outlaw motorcycle gangs, fugitive apprehension and criminal investigations, Sheriff Weaver has an experienced background that lends credibility to his role. In 2026, he earned the Sheriff of the Year award. Among his many achievements, he has lowered the county crime rate and increased the number of school resource officers, deputy staffing and the K-9 unit to better detect illicit drugs. Over these three generations, so much has changed that according to Michael, when he took office there were 17 deputies and when he left, that number had risen to 27. As the county has grown exponentially over the years, there are now more than 130 under Weaver. The one thing that has remained a constant over the generations is the sheriffs’ genuine concern for the safety of the Georgetown County residents and visitors. on the coast Ardennes Standard Architecture + Interiors We design homes intended to awe, yet also cultivate intimacy among friends and family. Ardennes-Standard.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1