Sheriff W. Howard Wells

Sheriff Wells began his first term as the 33rd Sheriff of Union County on January 5, 1993. A veteran law enforcement officer, his law enforcement career began in 1975 when he became a Patrol Officer for the City of Union Police Department. In June of 1976 he was appointed as a Deputy Sheriff with the Union County Sheriff's Office under the former Sheriff J. Harold Lamb. He continued working as a Deputy Sheriff until February 15, 1980 when he took a job as a Wildlife Officer with the S.C. Department of Wildlife and Marine Resources. In 1992 after being employed as a wildlife officer for twelve years, he ran for Sheriff of Union County.

Sheriff Wells continues to bring professionalism and national recognition to the Union County Sheriff's Office. He is highly praised and well respected for the manner in which he reacted to a highly publicized case, how he held together the many law enforcement officers and agencies involved, and how he responded to the bombardment of the national media.

Personal Information

Born May 23, 1952
Son of the late John and Julia Wells
Married to Wanda Jolly Wells
Member of Mon Aetna Baptist Church
Member of Union Masonic Lodge # 75 A.F.M. of S.C.
32 degree Scottish Rite Mason
Board Member of S.C. Sheriff's Association serving as Sergeant at Arms. Will be elevated to President in 2010
Member of S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association
Past Board Member of Union County United Way
Past Board Member of National Sheriff's Association
Past Board member of Union County Health Care Foundation
Past Board Member of S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Training Council

Educational Information

Graduate of Union High School
Graduate of S.C. Criminal Justice Academy
Graduate of National Sheriff's Association
Graduate of F.B.I. National Academy

Awards

1994 Order of the Palmetto, presented by Governor Carol A. Campbell Jr. The highest award presented by the State of South Carolina.
1994 Kentucky Colonel, presented by Governor Brereton C. Jones. The highest award presented by the State of Kentucky.
1995 , Sheriff-of-the-Year, presented by the South Carolina Sheriff's Association.
1995 , Law Enforcement Officer of the year nominee, presented by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.
1995, Sheriff Wells received the First, National Law Enforcement Award for Excellence in the field of missing and exploited children presented by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
1995, Law Enforcement Commendation Medal, presented by The National Society of The Sons of The American Revolution.
1996, Harmony Award, presented by Congress of Racial Equality.
Sheriff Wells has also been presented numerous other local distinguished service awards.
Law Enforcement Commendation Medal awarded by: The Sons of the American Revolution
Paul Harris Fellow awarded by: Rotary International