Breaking barriers and being “the first” were never priorities for Colonel Anna Amos. She focused on being a dedicated public servant and mother, and the rest fell into place.
But on Wednesday, October 30, 10 years to the day after her death, the first woman to lead a statewide law enforcement agency in South Carolina and the first Black commander in the Department of Public Safety accomplished another milestone: The first State Transport Police officer inducted into the Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.
“I think our mom would be so proud that she continues to be a trailblazer and also an example for other women in law enforcement,” D’Ann Amos said after the ceremony. “STP was like her other baby. She took great pride in putting that uniform on every day. She loved her cowboy boots, making sure her uniform was pressed and clean, and being that example to other officers.”
Along with being the first STP officer inducted into the Hall of Fame, Amos also is the first woman nominated for induction by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, which submits a nominee each year along with several other law enforcement agencies and organizations.
Born in Charleston in 1958, the sixth of seven siblings, Amos’ parents instilled a strong sense of discipline and work ethic in her and her siblings. After talking with her mother-in-law, who at the time was a public service commis-
sioner, Amos began her law enforcement career with the South Carolina Public Service Commission in 1983, which was responsible for conducting inspections on commercial motor vehicles. She was the first woman hired as a commercial vehicle safety regulator.
In 1996, Amos was promoted to the rank of Captain. Three years later, she was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel by B. Boykin Rose, the Director of SCDPS at the time.
And just one year after that, in November 2000, Amos was promoted to Colonel of the State Transport Police, making her both the first woman and the first African-American to lead any of the three law enforcement divisions of DPS, as well as the first woman to head a law enforcement division throughout the entirety of South Carolina.
A woman of innovation, Amos’ unique perspective led to the creation of several new units in STP, including the Special Operations Unit,
