LPD Chief Copeland set to retire, Sherfield promoted
Laurens Police Chief Heath Copeland, center, with Assistant Chief Dillon Sherfield, left, and Mayor Nathan Senn Friday during a ceremony announcing Copeland’s retirement.
With red, white and blue bunting and the City of Laurens’ Freedom Fest as the backdrop Friday, Laurens Police Chief Heath Copeland announced his retirement after 26 years on the job.
Copeland, who was presented a key to the city during the formal announcement, was joined on stage by Mayor Nathan Senn and LPD Assistant Chief Dillon Sherfield. Sherfield has been named acting chief and will officially take over the job after he is sworn in as the city’s new chief of police on July 20.
Copeland will work for the next couple of weeks as the department makes the transition.
“I love the people of Laurens, and I love and tried my best to help everybody,” Copeland said Monday. “The hardest thing to learn in law enforcement is that youÕre not going to be able to make everybody happy, no matter what. I tried to treat everybody fair, no matter where you lived or who you were.
“But I’m ready to spend time with the family. I missed so many ballgames and things like that over the years. . . . The one thing you can’t get back is time. I’m increasingly realizing that each day is a blessing and youÕre not promised the next one.”
Heath Copeland
Copeland has spent his entire career with the Laurens Police Department in October 2000 after graduating from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as a Distinguished Graduate. Hired by then-Chief Robin Morse, he started as a patrol officer before steadily rising through the ranks as sergeant, lieutenant, community relations officer and captain.
He was named chief of police in 2024.
“There are very few people who dedicate their entire career to serving one community,” Senn said. “For more than 26 years, Chief Copeland has done exactly that. He has led with humility, treated people with respect and always put the citizens of Laurens first. His impact reaches far beyond the badge, and our city is better because of his service.”
Senn also said he believes it is important to provide continuity for the department. With Sherfield’s ascension to the LPD’s top job, three of the past four police chiefs have been promoted from within the ranks.
“Dillon is a really good example of how an intentional approach to cultivating leadership pays off,” Senn said. “The department has confidence in him.”
Copeland said Sherfield is deserving of the new post due to his commitment to the city and a department that is in SherfieldÕs blood. Sherfield is the great-grandson of the late Laurens Police Chief James Barrett, who spent 45 years in the job.
“We have a bunch of young, good women and men who have answered the call,” Copeland said. “I have the utmost confidence that Dillon is going to do a good job. He’s very smart and studious. He takes notes and documents everything. He’s very detail oriented and will be a great chief.”
Sherfield said Copeland has been a mentor during their time on the force together.
“He’s taught me a lot of things about leadership and helped me connect with people I need to be familiar with,” Sherfield said. “He’s really helped shape the leader I want to be today.”
Copeland, 51, said he will take some time to work on the family farm with his father as his first step into retirement.
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the citizens of Laurens,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to work alongside outstanding officers, city leaders and community partners who have supported me throughout my career. Laurens will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will forever be thankful for the relationships and memories made here.”
