06/17/2026
The Town of Honea Path Appoints Steven Ray Gambrell as Interim Chief of Police
Honea Path, South Carolina — The Town of Honea Path is pleased to announce that Mayor Jimmy Smith is honored to appoint Steven R. Gambrell as Interim Chief of Police for the Honea Path Police Department. Chief Gambrell will officially begin his duties on Monday, June 22.
A lifelong resident of Honea Path, Chief Gambrell brings more than 52 years of law enforcement experience to the position and has dedicated his career to serving the citizens of South Carolina. His extensive background includes service with the Honea Path Police Department, Anderson County Sheriff's Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Anderson County Solicitor's Office.
Beginning his law enforcement career with the Honea Path Police Department from 1974 to 1977, Chief Gambrell later joined the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, where he served as a Uniformed Deputy, Detective, Lieutenant of the Detective Division, and Lieutenant in the Patrol Division. He subsequently served with SLED from 1998 to 2017 as a Resident Agent assigned primarily to the Piedmont Region of Upstate South Carolina. During his tenure with SLED, he was a member of the SLED SWAT Team and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, ultimately attaining Senior Agent status prior to retirement.
Following his retirement from SLED, Chief Gambrell returned to the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, where he investigated violent crimes from 2017 to 2022, bringing his total service with the Sheriff's Office to 27 years. Most recently, he served as an Investigator with the Anderson County Solicitor's Office for the Tenth Judicial Circuit from 2022 to 2026.
"I am honored to appoint Steven Ray Gambrell as Interim Chief of Police," said Mayor Jimmy Smith. "His decades of law enforcement experience, commitment to public service, and deep roots in the Honea Path community make him exceptionally qualified to serve our town and lead the department during this transition."
"I am honored to return to the department where my law enforcement career began," said Interim Chief Gambrell. "I look forward to working alongside our officers and serving the citizens of Honea Path as we continue our commitment to public safety and community service."
The Honea Path Police Department remains committed to providing professional law enforcement services and maintaining the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.
END
