Oconee deputies distinguish themselves in training

Oconee Sheriff’s Office is congratulating eight deputy sheriffs who graduated last week from the Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia.  The eight represent the largest number from Oconee ever to attend the same basic certification class.  One of them, Chris Johnson, received the J-P Strom Award for the student with the highest academic average.  J-P “Pete” Strom served as chief of the state police from 1956 until his death in 1987.  Besides Johnson, Oconee’s graduates were Lucas White, Billy Lee, Twila Owens, Michael Smith, Brandon O’Kelley, Sean Collum, and Brandon Justice.  Earlier this year deputies David Scealf and P-J Heaton graduated in separate classes.  All of the deputies are assigned to the uniform patrol division.