Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds succumbed Monday to cancer at an area hospice facility with his family by his side. Reynolds, 56, began his service as Charleston’s chief in 2018.
“Charleston has lost not just a great police chief, but one of the finest human beings that many of us will ever know,” Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said in a statement Monday night. “Luther Reynolds was a modern man of ancient virtues: faith, honor, courage, duty.
“But most of all, and at his very core, Luther was a man of love. He loved his family, his friends, his life. He loved this city and the brave men and women who keep it safe. He loved God, and in faithful service, he loved his neighbor.”
Reynolds, an empathetic but firm leader who lost a leg last year in a battle with cancer that started in late 2021, announced May 17 that he was ending cancer treatment and entering hospice care. In an open letter to Charlestonians, he said he hoped by sharing the news publicly, “we can also share with these other families some small measure of the love and support we’ve received over the past two years. We want them to know that in these difficult moments, they are not alone, and that our larger Charleston family prays for them as well.”
The chief, who rose from the ranks to leadership over about 30 years in Maryland with the Montgomery County Police Department before coming to Charleston, remarked in his letter last week about how honored he was to serve the residents of the Holy City.
“You welcomed me and my family into this remarkable city, and with your support, we have built an even better, even stronger police department. I cannot tell you how proud I am of the men and women of CPD, and how honored I am to have led them.”
CP OPINION, Martin: Teacher pay is more about students than teachers
“There are myriad reasons why increasing teacher pay is the right thing to do right now, but the most pressing – and perhaps most overlooked – is the adverse impact of the teacher retention crisis on students.”
In other headlines:
CP NEWS: Scott kicks off GOP presidential campaign. After months of speculation, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on Monday told a packed crowd at his hometown alma mater, Charleston Southern University, that he is running for president of the United States. The announcement was widely covered in state and national media.
National manhunt for homicide suspect focused in N. Charleston. A New York homicide suspect who allegedly forced two people to drive to North Charleston is still being sought and considered to be armed and dangerous.
Charleston airport taxicab rates to increase. Hailing a cab at Charleston International is set to rise from $2.52 to $3 per mile July 1.
McMaster said he was joking about hunting Democrats with dogs. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster was in hot water this weekend after remarks about hunting Democrats with dogs. Democrats asked for an apology and retraction from the statement.
Charleston Co. teachers to attend budget talks, vote on salaries. The Charleston County School Board was to discuss and hold a first vote on a proposed 2023-2024 budget that includes multiple actions to increase teacher pay.
Daniel Island bridge could include widening, pedestrian walkway. The city of Charleston will vote this week on the approval of a $2 million replacement bridge connecting Daniel Island.
Lowes Foods to open 5th Charleston-area location. North Carolina-based supermarket chain Lowes Foods recently inked a deal to build a 50,887-square-foot grocery store in North Creek at Nexton Shopping Center.
Dorchester Co. to talk about N. Main Street redevelopment. Dorchester County Council passed a motion to hold a town vote for the redevelopment of 500 N. Main Street for a large property that greets people who head into Summerville. The building is one of the first buildings you see when you approach downtown Summerville.
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