Carter Weaver Sworn in as Georgetown County Sheriff

Carter Weaver took the oath of office as Georgetown County’s sheriff today in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Georgetown.

The setting was not lost on Sheriff Weaver. It’s the same sanctuary where he eulogized his mentor, Sheriff A. Lane Cribb, after his death just five months ago. “His passing was sudden and unexpected, which affected us all,” Sheriff Weaver said. “Five months later, we are stronger and more dedicated to our mission of serving Georgetown County than ever before.”

Sheriff Weaver said it was essential to have his family with him at the ceremony today. He thanked his father, Vince Weaver, for supporting him since he entered law enforcement in 1986. His son, Carter Jr., daughter, Hunter, brother, Curtis, and sister, Nancy Busbee, and her husband, Jud, were at the ceremony.

“Thank you to the voters of Georgetown County,” Sheriff Weaver said. “I am proud to be your sheriff and look forward to serving you.”

During his remarks before taking the oath of office from Judge Ben Culbertson, Sheriff Weaver said his office will address some key concerns in the community.

They include:

• Child safety: “Bullying and peer pressure cause our beloved children to make wrong choices, or worse, commit suicide,” he said. “This needs to be addressed by all of our communities, and I, for one, am here to help find solutions by partnering with the school
  district, clergy and mental health professionals.”
• Opioids: “Enforcement is a must, but alternatives to locking users up is needed as well,” he said. “I advocate for more focus on treatment than arrest because focusing solely on arrest leads to us installing a revolving door at the detention center and subsequently the death of the individual through continued drug use. This is a public health problem, and should be treated as such.”
• Mental health services: “Correctional facilities should not be the largest mental health providers,” he said. “Comprehensive solutions are needed at the state and local levels to soften the interaction between police and the mentally ill.” He said he would advocate for mental health professionals employed by or assigned to the sheriff’s office.
• Commitments: To Georgetown County citizens, Sheriff Weaver, said “I will serve you in a professional manner and strive to represent the community in which we serve through diversity and empathy.” To county government and Council, “I will work with you as we go about the People’s business, and may we never lose sight of the responsibility entrusted to us.” To surrounding police agencies: “I will always provide assistance to all with everything that I have.” To sheriff’s office personnel: “I will strive to lead by example, from the front, and never forget that it is you who lifts me up. I will always focus on your quality of life, whether it be merit raises to ensure a competitive wage or a new correctional facility to ensure a safe work environment. Your needs will never go unspoken or unheard.”

In closing, Sheriff Weaver said the office of sheriff cannot exist without the continued support from the communities it serves. “Please continue,” he said, “to work with us, pray for us and look to us when you need help.”