News Flash

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office is proud to be a main sponsor of the 2026 Spartanburg County Polar Plunge, benefiting Special Olympics South Carolina.

The Polar Plunge is a statewide initiative where individuals and organizations raise money for Special Olympics by collecting donations and, on event day, taking a plunge into cold water. Funds raised through this event directly support year-round sports training, athletic competitions, and programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities across South Carolina. 

Our Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center will be plunging together as Team Spartan-burrrr. Help us support this great cause, donate today by visiting: https://www.classy.org/team/779336

Want to get involved? You don’t have to plunge to support the cause! Learn more about the Spartanburg County Polar Plunge by visiting: https://www.classy.org/.../2026-spartanburg.../c733861 

Together, we’re serving our community — on duty and beyond the badge.

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We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of retired Lt. Mike Gabriel on December 31.

Lt. Gabriel served with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years before retiring in 2021. During his distinguished career, he served in both Uniform Patrol and Civil. He was also a proud Vietnam War veteran, having served our country with honor before continuing a lifetime of public service in law enforcement.

Lt. Gabriel is remembered as a mentor to many and a servant leader who left a lasting impact on our agency and the community he served.

We are forever grateful for Lt. Gabriel’s service, sacrifice, and legacy. Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

The Ceremonial Honor Guard alongside the Spartanburg County Fire Services Honor Guard will be providing retiree honors at the funeral for LT Mike Gabriel (ret.) on Monday, January 5, 2026.  The FD Honor Guard will render their portion of the honors at the funeral service.  We will conduct the graveside honors with the playing of TAPS, folding & presenting the flag and bagpipes.  Blakely Funeral Home in Gaffney is caring for the family.  Here is Mike’s obituary:

Chesnee, SC - - Michael “Mike” Dale Gabriel, 70, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Spartanburg Medical Center.  Born in Elgin, Illinois, he was the husband of Mary Sexton Gabriel and son of the late George Dale Gabriel and Gloria Jones Gabriel.  He retired from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Department, retired from the Chesnee Community Fire Department, was a U. S. Army veteran and a member of Arrowwood Baptist Church.  He loved his family, tree cutting and being a public servant.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Jeremy Sexton of San Francisco and Anthony Gabriel (Heidi) of Chesnee; a daughter, Amanda Gregory of Chesnee; two brothers, Gary Gabriel (Deborah) of Fort Mohave, Arizona and Bill Gabriel (Brenda) of Valparaiso, Indiana; six grandchildren, Andrew Gregory, Addison Gabriel, Hannah Gabrial, Chase Gregory, Maddilyn Gabriel and Miles Gabriel; “special granddaughters”, Margo McDowell and Emma Phillips; numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Katie Gregory.

The family will receive friends from 12:30PM until 2:00PM on Monday, January 5, 2026 at Arrowwood Baptist Church.  Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00PM at the Church with Chaplain Matthew Scruggs, Chaplain Bruce Fowler, Reverend Bruce Jennings, Mr. Ronnie Horn and Reverend Preston Edmonds officiating.  Interment will be in Springhill Memorial Gardens. Honors will be presented by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard and the Spartanburg County Fire Department Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Chesnee Community Fire Department, 5854 Chesnee Highway, Chesnee, SC 29323 or Arrowwood Baptist Church, 1410 Highway 11 W., Chesnee, SC 29323.

The family will be at the residence.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com 

We are seeing an increase in scam attempts targeting our county, and we want to ensure you and your loved ones stay informed and protected.

Some residents have reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to be deputies with the Sheriff’s Office. These callers state there are issues related to jury duty and instruct the individual to report to the Sheriff’s Office. Our office will NEVER notify you of jury duty issues by phone, nor will we ever demand payment or personal information.

We have also been made aware of scammers contacting family members of individuals who have recently been arrested, claiming payment is required over the phone to secure their loved one’s release. This is a scam. The Sheriff’s Office and the Detention Center will NEVER call you to demand payment of any kind, including bond or bail.

If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and block the number. Do not provide personal information, do not send money, and do not engage further. NEVER give out bank account information or make payments over the phone to anyone claiming to represent law enforcement.

If you have questions or believe you have been targeted, please contact our office directly at 864-596-2222.

Your safety and awareness are our priority. Please share this information with your friends and family.

Stay alert, Spartanburg County.

At approximately 5:45am yesterday morning, November 18, 2025, Spartanburg County Deputies were called to the 15000 block of Asheville Highway, in Campobello, in reference to a car break-in in progress. Upon the deputy’s arrival the suspect fled in a vehicle, leading to a brief chase. Deputies were forced to end the chase after the suspect struck their vehicle, leaving it inoperable. 

Within the same hour deputies were called to the 7000 black of Highway 357, also in Campobello, in reference to the same subject breaking into another car. The suspect left the scene on foot. SCSO deputies attempted to locate the suspect utilizing our K9 assets but were unsuccessful. 

At approximately 10:30am Deputies responded back to the same area of Highway 357 in reference to an auto theft. It was discovered that this was the same suspect from the two calls earlier. It was also discovered that the suspect had forced his way into the basement of this home before stealing a vehicle from the residence. 

Investigators identified the suspect as Michael Travis Waddell. The following arrest warrants were signed for Michael Travis Waddell in reference to the events yesterday.  

• 3 Counts of Assault & Battery, High and Aggravated Nature
• Burglary, 1st Degree
• Safecracking
• Grand Larceny >$10,000
• Receiving Stolen Goods >$10,000
• 4 Counts of Carbreaking
• Reckless Driving
• Failure to Stop for Blue Lights
• Driving Under Suspension
• 1 prior charge of Petit Larcey (Enhanced)

Today just before 1:00pm Michael Travis Waddell was located. A traffic stop was attempted as Waddell drove into Spartanburg County and he again failed to stop. A brief chase ensued. We were able to forcibly stop the vehicle and take Waddell into custody on Sloan Rd. In Inman. Unfortunately, there was property damage that came as a result of the forcible stop but thankfully no one was injured. Waddell was transported to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center to be checked out of an abundance of caution and then will be booked at the Spartanburg County Detention Facility. He will be facing more charges from the incident today. 

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the appointment of Jeffery F. Stephens as Interim Sheriff. Sheriff Stephens brings more than four decades of law enforcement experience, beginning his distinguished career with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office in 1980.

Over the past 43 years, Sheriff Stephens has held a variety of key leadership positions, including Commander of the Northern Command for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and, most recently, Chief Deputy of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, where he has served since 2011. 

We are honored to welcome Sheriff Stephens back to Spartanburg County, and we are confident in his ability to lead with integrity and professionalism during this transitional period. 

This morning at approximately 9:15 AM, deputies responded to a robbery at Truist Bank, 2075 E. Main St., Duncan, SC, 29334. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed employees and witnesses who gave a good description of both the suspect and his vehicle. The suspect never presented or alluded to a weapon. The suspect was identified shortly after the incident and located at an apartment complex near the bank wearing some of the same clothing he had on during the incident. He was transported to the office where he confessed to the incident in an effort to support his drug habit.  The suspect is Marvin Nathaneil Moorer, 65 years old, 201 Babcock Lane, Apt. 101, Duncan, SC, 29334, and he is charged with Entering a Bank with Intent to Steal.

Deputies were dispatched to Hometown Studios at 130 Mobile Dr in regards to an apparent double homicide at 3:45 PM this afternoon. A female called 911 from Spruce St. Apts. and said that she shot two people in room 120. Deputies made entry and found two people deceased inside with multiple gunshot wounds. Other deputies located the female at those apartments and transported her to the office to be interviewed. At this time, there doesn't appear to be any threat to the public, and more information will be released by both the Coroner's Office and this office at the appropriate time.