A Message from Sheriff Scott Hammonds

Today I officially filed for re-election, seeking to continue my service to the citizens of Beaufort County. Serving as Sheriff of Beaufort County has been an honor and a responsibility I take very seriously.

We have strengthened our capabilities, built meaningful partnerships, and worked every day to enhance public safety. I look forward to building on the progress we've made and working to build a safer, more connected community.

Key Accomplishments

• Strengthening School Safety: I collaborated closely with the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, Beaufort County Schools, and school board members to return School Resource Officers (SROs) to public school campuses. This effort restored a critical layer of protection and deepened relationships between students, faculty, and law enforcement.

• Expanding Specialized Units: To enhance the Sheriff's Office capabilities, I implemented several specialized teams with enough trained personnel to maintain 24-hour operations when needed.

  • Three full-service K9 Teams providing narcotics detection, tracking, and patrol support.

  • A Drone Team equipped with four drones and nine licensed operators, improving search and rescue, surveillance, and emergency response efforts.

  • A Marine Patrol Unit consisting of fifteen trained deputies, strengthening safety and emergency response across Beaufort County's extensive waterways.

  • A Sheriff's Response Team (SRT) consisting of eleven deputies equipped with specialized gear and training to respond to high-risk incidents to ensure the safest possible outcome.

• Increasing Patrol Division Staffing & Improving Response Times: I expanded the patrol division staffing, resulting in reduced response times and decreased risk to deputies and citizens during emergency calls. With more deputies on our roads, we are better equipped to respond quickly and effectively to any situation.

• Commitment to Community Safety & Reducing Drug Overdoses: We are dedicated to combating drug overdoses and overdose deaths throughout Beaufort County. We will continue our comprehensive strategy focused on enforcement, education, and community outreach. Saving lives and addressing the root causes of addiction remain our top priorities. Through the A.C.E. of Hearts Initiative, we have focused on the needs of our animal, children, and elderly populations. We have held offenders accountable for the abuse and neglect of these vulnerable populations and worked to increase awareness of the signs of abuse and encourage reporting of these crimes.

Appreciation for the Sheriff's Office Team: I want to thank the men and women of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office who serve our citizens with professionalism, dedication, and integrity. Their commitment is the foundation of everything we have accomplished.

A Promise to Continue Serving: As your elected Sheriff, I will continue working every day to create a safer, stronger, and more connected community. I am grateful for the support of Beaufort County residents and look forward to the opportunity to continue serving.