[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 99 (Thursday, June 9, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF LIEUTENANT LONNIE T. VINESETT, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH NORMAN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2022

  Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the outstanding 
career of Lieutenant Lonnie T. Vinesett, Jr., a dedicated community 
leader and honorable police officer.
  Known as ``Bubba'' or ``Terry'' to his friends and family, Lt. 
Vinesett grew up in Indian Land. At the age of 14, he entered the Cadet 
Program at the Fort Mill Police Department. Shortly after, he became a 
security guard for Mercy Hospital. At the age of 21, Lt. Vinesett was 
hired by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, where he began his 
police career. During his time with the Lancaster County Sheriff's 
Office, he proudly served the same community he grew up in and loved 
deeply.
  In 1999, Lt. Vinesett was hired by the York County Sheriff's Office--
his ultimate goal when he began his police career. During his tenure 
with the York County Sheriff's Office, he experienced major milestones 
in his career and received numerous accolades and awards. For example, 
in 2007, Lt. Vinesett was working on Operation Rolling Thunder, a 
multi-jurisdiction operation based in Spartanburg, during which he made 
a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. 
Lt. Vinesett found a secret compartment with 35 kilos of cocaine--the 
fourth largest interdiction drug stop in South Carolina state history.
  Later in his career, Lt. Vinesett attended a Federal Bureau of 
Investigation (FBI) training on combatting sex trafficking. Shortly 
after this training, he and then Master Deputy Phillip Aldridge were 
monitoring a known website for prostitution in the Charlotte area and 
observed a female that appeared to be underage. The two quickly began 
their operation and, in consultation with the FBI, investigated and 
charged the man involved. This was the first case of a successful 
prosecution and conviction for sex trafficking of a child in South 
Carolina state history. Lt. Vinesett and Master Deputy Phillip Aldridge 
received the Merit Award from Sheriff Tolson and a recommendation from 
then FBI Director James Comey.
  Lt. Vinesett consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty. In 
addition to these well-deserved accolades, he has dedicated countless 
hours to volunteering for community events and serving the school 
district in which he lives. Lt. Vinesett leads by example and has 
served as a guide for his children, family, and friends. He has never 
met a stranger, and his colleagues describe him as a ``mentor and 
leader'' to all. These stories are not outliers for a day in the life 
of Lt. Vinesett. His sense of service and selflessness is above 
reproach, leading him to earn the respect of law enforcement and 
citizens all over the state. His 25-year career is a testament to all 
the good our men and women in blue do for our communities. On behalf of 
the 5th District of South Carolina, I thank Lt. Vinesett for his 
continued sacrifice and service, and I congratulate him on his well-
deserved retirement.

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