For the period from the 1930’s – 1970’s the main law enforcement force in Spartanburg County was referred to as the Rural Police Force and later the County Police. It was’t until the mid 1970’s that the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office was reorganized to structure that resembles the department today.

As the textile industry became the primary employer in Spartanburg County law enforcement efforts centered around the numerous textile mills and the mill villages that surrounded them.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff had his detachment of deputies that took care of the jail, courthouse security, and law enforcement at the edge of the Spartanburg city limits. The Sheriff also had his “Rural Police” force that handled law enforcement in and around the mill villages.      SPARTANBURG HERALD-JOURNAL 1933

Sheriff Charlie Snipes, 1961-1968
Beats out incumbent  B.B. Brockman, in 1960 election.  Sheriff Brockman served from 1945-1960.  “Less than half of the county’s registered voters turned out on election day Tuesday but that was more than enough to make sweeping changes in the county’s political structure.  The election itself was highlighted by political newcomers running off with all the honors, Charles T. Snipes, 33, slapped down incumbent Sheriff B. B. Brockman in 76 of the county’s 110 precincts.  Snipes carried 15 of the city’s 17 boxes (The Spartanburg Journal –June 15, 1960).