Major Gary Metts, Commander of the Administrative Division, oversees day to day operations within the Sheriff’s Office. Major Metts served in the United States Air Force as a K-9 handler and trainer before being assigned to the Secret Service detachment. Since coming to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Major Metts has served as a Lieutenant over the DARE Program. While there, he started the first DARE summer camp and was president of the South Carolina DARE program before being promoted to Major over the Administrative Division. He oversees the purchasing and finances for our agency, fleet management, employment, grants, policy, discipline, technology, and public concerns. Major Metts is a graduate of St Leo’s University, holds a Masters degree from Troy State University, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Major Hampton Gardner, Commander of the Uniformed Divisions, joined the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office in 1984 as a patrol deputy. He went on to serve as a shift Lieutenant before being promoted to Captain of the former COPS (Community Oriented Policing Service) program, a philosophy which was later adopted agency-wide. He went on to oversee the Civil Process and Family Court Divisions prior to being promoted to Major over the Uniformed Divisions. In this position, he oversees the daily operations of the Patrol Division, Civil Process and Family Court Divisions, the CAT Team, Special Operations, and the Honor Guard. Major Gardner is a graduate of St Leo’s University and holds a Masters degree from Troy State University