Investiture Ceremony for U.S. Marshal Kelvin Washington

Florence, SC – On April 30 U.S. Marshal Kelvin Washington of the District of South Carolina will celebrate his Investiture Ceremony at the McMillan Federal Building in Florence, S.C., at 1 p.m. Washington will be joined by members of the Judiciary, distinguished guests, and family to celebrate his appointment. He will also express his vision and goals for the District of South Carolina and stress the importance of serving and protecting the federal judiciary while honoring the U.S. Marshals’ commitment to fugitive apprehension.　

Washington was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the United States Marshal for District of South Carolina and was sworn in on March 31, 2010. Washington began his law enforcement career with the City of Florence Police Department in 1990. While there he served as a patrolman, narcotics agent, and an investigator. In 1993, he joined the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office as the Chief Investigator and was later promoted to Chief Deputy. In 1998, Washington was appointed as Interim-Sheriff and in January 1999, and was then elected Sheriff of Williamsburg County. This election victory became South Carolina history. He had become the youngest African American to be elected Sheriff in South Carolina. He was successfully re-elected in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

A native of Hemingway, S.C., Washington is a graduate of Hemingway High School, attended South Carolina State University, and graduated from American Intercontinental University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, and a Master’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University. His other education credentials were received from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy; the FBI-sponsored Carolina Command College; the FBI-sponsored Law Enforcement Executive Development School, the University of Arkansas’ Rural Executive Management Institute, and the National Sheriff's Institute.

Washington has always believed in service before self and has made enormous contributions to his community. He is an active member of Kingstree Rotary Club, Palmetto State Law Enforcement Officers’ Association, and the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association, where he serves as Past President of this association. He has served as a board member for the Williamsburg County Boys and Girls Club and Williamsburg County Vital Aging. Marshal Washington has also served as a part-time professor at Horry-Georgetown Technical College and Charleston Southern University in their Criminal Justice Departments.