LPD Chief Latimore to lead U.S. Marshals Service in state

LPD Chief Chrissie Latimore

Laurens Police Chief Chrissie Latimore is leaving her post with the LPD to become the U.S. Marshal for South Carolina.

The LPD announced Latimore’s nomination for the top spot in the U.S. Marshals Service in the District of South Carolina Monday night with a social media post.

Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Latimore will succeed Thomas M. Griffin, Jr. with the Marshals Service, taking over an office of more than 50 Deputy U.S. Marshals, administrators and staff members. The office oversees fugitive investigations in the district of South Carolina as well as security for the judiciary.

“This is a bittersweet moment for all of us at the LPD because, as proud of (Latimore) as we are, we know that our agency will never be the same without our amazing boss at the helm,” the statement from the LPD read.

Latimore, who was installed as president of the state Police Chief Association in October, could not be reached for comment. She took over as Laurens police chief in 2019 following the resignation of Sonny Ledda, who took over as police chief for Clinton. She had served as Ledda’s second in command before rising to chief.

The Clinton native became the first African-American female and first female police chief in Laurens County upon taking the top spot with LPD. She has worked with the LPD for more than 20 years and spent a year with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). She also spent four years on active and reserve duty with the U.S. Army after graduating from Clinton High School in 1996.

Latimore holds undergraduate degrees from Piedmont Tech and Lander and a master’s of criminal justice from Anderson University’s Command College.