Batesburg-Leesville, SC 12/03/2022 – Chief of Police W. Wallace Oswald is retiring after 46 years of service to the Batesburg-Leesville community. Chief Oswald’s retirement will be effective June 30, 2022.
Chief Oswald was born in a doctor’s office in Batesburg, and he grew up in the town. It’s where he chose to live and raise his children. Chief Oswald began his law enforcement career serving as an officer for the Batesburg Police Department in 1976. Since then. he has continuously served the Batesburg-Leesville Community as a law enforcement officer for more than 45 years, with more than 42 years as the Chief of Police. He was chosen to lead the Batesburg Police Department as the agency’s Chief of Police in 1980. Chief Oswald continued to serve as the agency’s Chief until the Towns of Batesburg and Leesville consolidated in 1993. That that time, he was once again chosen to lead the newly consolidated Batesburg-Leesville Police Department as its Chief.
Chief Oswald has received numerous awards and accomplishments over his many years of service; to include:
1971 – 1974 US Army, active duty
1986 – FBI National Academy Graduate, Session 147
1987 – South Carolina Police Academy Firearms Instructor
1988 – 2011 South Carolina Army National Guard
Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster
Legion of Merit award
-Received during his time serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
2010 – Order of the Silver Crescent from South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford
2016 – Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement
2019 – Town of Batesburg-Leesville Supervisor of the Year
2021 – SC Law Enforcement Officer’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award
The influence and leadership that Chief Oswald has provided to the South Carolina law enforcement profession have had a positive impact upon law enforcement officers across South Carolina over his career. His influence on law enforcement officers and the Batesburg-Leesville community will be felt for many generations to come. Chief Oswald stated that “he is forever honored to have served his country, his state and the people of his community.”
Batesburg-Leesville Town Manager Ted Luckadoo stated, “Words can’t express what Chief Oswald has brought to our community as Police Chief. He is a wonderful Chief and human being. While I am excited for him and his upcoming retirement, it’s also sad to see him go. He is leaving behind a great organization and his shoes will be hard to fill.”
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