A house RESOLUTION

 

TO HONOR RANDY DEMORY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS DIRECTOR OF THE HILL-FINKLEA DETENTION CENTER FOR THE BERKELEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, TO EXTEND DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO OFFER BEST WISHES FOR A SATISFYING AND REWARDING RETIREMENT.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Randy Demory, director of the Hill-Finklea Detention Center for the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office since 2015, will retire on June 12, 2026, after an outstanding career in law enforcement spanning nearly five decades; and

 

Whereas, over his forty-seven years of experience in corrections and detention, including more than a decade of outstanding service with the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, Randy Demory has consistently exemplified the highest standards of leadership, innovation, and integrity. During his tenure with the agency, he has overseen transformative improvements to its detention system. Most notably, he successfully guided the planning, construction, and transition into the agency's new detention facility, an enormous undertaking carried out with foresight, efficiency, and unwavering commitment to staff and inmate welfare; and

 

Whereas, thanks to his steady leadership, the Hill-Finklea Detention Center is fully staffed, a rare achievement in this field. He also has been instrumental in advancing programs that extend the mission of corrections beyond confinement. Under his leadership, the center became the first jail in South Carolina to launch a mental health program inside a county detention facility. This pilot initiative has set the standard for others to follow, providing care and demonstrating his belief in addressing the human needs of those entrusted to the agency's custody. Additionally, he has implemented a trash pickup program, fostering community engagement and responsibility among inmates while enhancing the agency's service to Berkeley County; and

 

Whereas, Randy is a good steward of resources and takes fiscal responsibility seriously. However, his intelligent, common-sense approach to leadership recognizes both the realities of detention and the humanity of those within the system. In every respect, Randy Demory has proven himself an exceptional leader whose vision and dedication will leave a lasting impact on the agency, its staff, and the community; and

 

Whereas, away from the office, Randy has served on the boards of several community and criminal justice organizations. On the national level, in 1998 he became associated with the National Institute of Corrections Jails Division as a technical resource provider in the areas of objective jail classification, inmate behavior management, and reentry programming. In that role and as an independent consultant, he has aided hundreds of jail officials through on-site technical assistance and by his instruction in classification, inmate behavior management, jail inmate reentry, and other topics at workshops across the country; and

 

Whereas, in advanced preparation for his life's work, Randy earned master's degrees in both education and criminal justice administration; and

 

Whereas, grateful for Randy Demory's legacy of commitment and excellence, the members of the South Carolina House trust he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead as he enters retirement. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Randy Demory on the occasion of his retirement as director of the Hill-Finklea Detention Center for the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, extend deep appreciation for his many years of distinguished public service to the State of South Carolina, and offer best wishes for a satisfying and rewarding retirement.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Randy Demory.

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