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Despite Cancer Diagnosis, New Trooper Graduates With Honors

PICTURED: SPENCER NIETO WITH AWARD

GOOSE CREEK, S.C.–Nearly 1.7 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in 2017, according to the American Cancer Society.

For one young man recently diagnosed with the disease, he is not letting it slow him down.

Spencer Nieto of Goose Creek became the recipient of the Colonel P.F. Thompson Outstanding Achievement Award following his graduation Wednesday from the South Carolina Highway Patrol Basic Training Program.

The award is given to the trooper who displays the character and dedication symbolic of former Highway Patrol Colonel P.F. Thompson, the longest serving Patrol commander.

Nieto was diagnosed with cancer in his 16th week of training. Even while he has begun his treatments, he remained committed and graduated with his class with honors.

VIA SCHP

He has been assigned to Troop 6 and will serve Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper Counties.

Nieto was one of 39 troopers who graduated from the Highway Patrol Basic Class 101.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson spoke to graduates on behalf of Gov. Henry McMaster and read a letter to the graduates from the Governor.

“Leadership is not about the perks and privileges that come with it. It is about service,” Wilson told the graduates. “It is about serving those who are subordinate to you. You are public servants now … I appreciate the level of commitment you have gone through to be in this room today. I am here today to tell you thank you.”

Basic 101 brings the total number of troopers in South Carolina to 798. The next class, Basic 102, will report to the Academy July 14. Today’s graduating class began training January 20 with an additional three pre-certified officers joining April 21.

The SCHP Basic Training Program consists of 21 weeks of extensive law enforcement training in-residence. After graduation, troopers must complete a minimum of 400 hours of field training.

Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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