Sumter native named SCHP administrative support major

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has promoted a veteran trooper to serve as a major of administrative support for the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Capt. R. Kelley Hughes, a Sumter native, has been named administrative support major to succeed Michael C. Carson, who is retiring on June 30 after 34 years of service to the Highway Patrol. Maj. Hughes has been with the Highway Patrol for 32 years and has served as the commander of Troop 10's Community Relations, Recruiting and Employment Unit since 2017.

During much of his career, he has served the Highway Patrol in a community relations and public information capacity. He became one of the first community relations officers for the Highway Patrol in 2000 and worked his way up to the rank of lieutenant. In 2017, he was promoted to captain over the Community Relations, Recruiting and Employment Unit, for which he has since supervised all agency community outreach, employment efforts and public information to include Freedom of Information Act requests. His approach to community relations helped to cultivate goodwill with the general public and develop strong partnerships with the media and community leaders. Hughes was named Troop 1 Trooper of the Year and Department of Public Safety Officer of the Year in 2001.

He is a member of Lexington Baptist Church, the National Information Officers Association and the Uniformed Safety Education Officers Workshop and volunteers with the Freedom and Hope Foundation, a nonprofit benefiting wounded service members and children with life-threatening illnesses.

"Maj. Hughes has demonstrated extraordinary leadership capabilities and will be a great addition to the Highway Patrol's command staff," said Col. Christopher N. Williamson, South Carolina Highway Patrol commander. "We are fortunate to have someone with his credentials and diverse qualifications to help lead administrative support and take a more prominent role in meeting emerging challenges with innovative solutions."

Hughes and his wife, Tammy, reside in Lexington. They have two children, Bradley Hughes and Amanda Martin. His parents are Carol Hughes and the late retired SCHP Lt. Kenneth H. Hughes.