Tyler Creel recently completed the police academy at the Southern Regional Public Safety Institute and drove away with the highest honor in his class.
The new Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy won the “Top Cop” award as well as the driving award during the 11-week coursework.
“He’s the only Marion County deputy to achieve this award while working here that I’m aware of,” Sheriff Berkley Hall said. “He’s now a certified officer on patrol, and we’re really proud of him.”
Hall said he and many of the MCSO deputies and investigators attended Creel’s graduation in early December to show support for the young deputy.
“He’s got law enforcement in his blood,” Hall said. “His grandfather was a game warden. He does so much to serve the people of Marion County. He’s a part-time firefighter for the Columbia Fire Department; he’s the deputy chief of the Tri-Community Volunteer fire Department, and he works with us. We’re very proud of him. We have a good turnout for his graduation. Everybody possible attended. We’re happy to say he’s back on patrol.”
For the 24-year-old, public service comes naturally.
“It’s in my heart,” he said. “I always wanted to be a firefighter and that gave me a chance to ride along with the sheriff’s office. I started to enjoy it, and I figured I would make a career of it.”
Creel said the academy was difficult.
“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve endured in my life as far as physical training and book work,” he said. “I’ve now got a full-time law enforcement certification and full-time firefighting certification.”
The “Top Cop” award and the driving award are achievements Creel is proud of.
“The ‘Top Cop’ is for the highest overall average in the academy,” he said. “The driving award they determine who the best driver is based on scores and times on the course.”
Pictured Above: Marion County Sheriff Berkley Hall stands with Deputy Tyler Creel and Chief Deputy Jamie Singley at Creel’s graduation ceremony. | Submitted Photo
