Police Department Bios

Glenn Meadows- Chief of Police 
Glenn was promoted to Chief of Police for the Sullivan’s Island Police Department effective February 20, 2024. He is responsible for the administration and execution of the mission of the Police Department. He has over 40 years of experience in law enforcement. He is a SC State-certified instructor and enjoys establishing police/community partnerships. Glenn organized the police department’s annual Toys for Tots Christmas Bike Drives and the first department community blood drive. In 2005, Glenn retired as a sergeant after a 25-year career with Newport News, Virginia Police Department. After retirement, Glenn served three tours in Iraq and six tours in Afghanistan in a civilian Rule of Law advisory capacity. He also served as a SWAT instructor for the State Department's International Global Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program. Glenn can be reached at 843-883-5736 or gmeadows@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

 
Monty Anders - Deputy Chief
Monty began his service on Sullivan's Island in January 2023. Prior to that he served over 6 yrs. in the United States Navy working in Submarines. He started in law enforcement in 1994 when he enlisted in the Pa State Police. He retired as Corporal/Patrol Unit Supervisor in 2014. He then worked for over 5 years with the Selinsgrove Borough Police Dept. He has previously worked as a 911 Dispatcher and was also a volunteer Fire Fighter for over 25 years. He looks forward to working in the community of Sullivan’s Island. He feels it is vitally important to have a strong relationship between the community and law enforcement. You can reach Officer Anders at 843-996-8927 or manders@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Elias Shaffer- Lieutenant
Elias serves as the Patrol Commander for the Sullivan’s Island Police Department, overseeing all uniformed patrol operations and the day-to-day supervision of both the department’s sworn and unsworn personnel. Promoted to Lieutenant in 2025, Elias is responsible for staffing, deployment, operational readiness, and coordinating the department’s response to major events and emergencies. With more than 14 years of public safety experience spanning law enforcement, the fire department, and 911 communications, Elias has built a reputation for decisive leadership and innovative problem-solving. Since joining SIPD in 2022, Elias has managed key infrastructure initiatives, including the implementation of advanced camera systems, load bearing carriers, virtual reality training, mobile CAD, electronic citations, and patrol fleet modernization efforts. A certified Internal Affairs Investigator through FBI-LEEDA, Elias is dedicated to upholding accountability and fostering trust within the department and the community. His leadership during a major multi-agency critical incident in 2025 earned him the department’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. Elias remains focused on advancing modern policing strategies that emphasize transparency, technology integration, and proactive community engagement. Elias can be reached at 843-883-5740 or eshaffer@sullivansisland.sc.gov. 

Christopher J Wallace- Sergeant
Sgt. Wallace assists with daily operations of the department. He also serves as the evidence custodian. Sgt. Wallace began his career in 1997 as a reserve police officer with the Isle of Palms Police Department. He went on to serve as a patrolman with the Hanahan Police Department before joining Sullivan’s Island in 1999. Wallace can be reached at 843-883-5738 or cwallace@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Gary Erickson- Sergeant
Sgt. Erickson joined the Sullivan’s of Island Police Department in 2016 and has many years in law enforcement experience.He has been assigned duties in administration protocol for State and City citations and as evidence storage custodial assistant. He currently maintains credit for Field Training Officer status. Gary can be reached at 843-883-5714 or gerickson@sullivansisland.sc.gov.




 

Markley McGougan – Corporal
Mark began serving at Sullivan's Island in September 2023. He is a born Charlestonian and an 11-year veteran. Mark’s passion is Firearms training and tactical operations. He acquired this passion working in a Counter Drug Operations Unit for the majority of his military service. Mark’s biggest priority is the community’s safety and developing relationships with the residents. Mark can be reached at (854) 202-2116 or MmcGougan@sullivansisland.sc.gov

Joshua Poole-  Corporal 
Josh started working for the department in 2008. His prior experience includes North Charleston Police Department. He is a certified School Resource Officer and serves on the Sullivan’s Island Elementary School Safety Board. He can be reached at 843-883-9636 or jpoole@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Lisa Lawson - Patrol Officer
Lisa joined the Department in August 2023 and serves as a Patrol Officer for the Town. Prior to joining the Sullivan’s Island Police Department, she served for nine years with the Mount Pleasant Police Department where she was assigned to the traffic unit for eight years. She was also a part of the Crisis Intervention Team and is a national hostage negotiator. Lisa serves as a DUI instructor, Speed Measurement Device instructor and a Drug Recognition Expert instructor. She can be reached at 843-789-0362 or llawson@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Carlos Hernandez -Patrol Officer 
Carlos started with the Town in May of 2017 as a Beach Service Officer. Since then, he has served in many roles including Parking Enforcement and Town Code Enforcement. He was sworn in as a Patrol Officer and Graduated the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in February 2019. Officer Hernandez can be reached at 843-883-9636 or chernandez@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Joseph McMullen- Patrol Officer
Joe started with the Town in 2020. He is a sworn Patrol Officer, which duties include patrol of the Island, focusing on traffic enforcement and protecting the Island residents and their property. Additionally, he serves as a Firearms Instructor. Joe can be reached at 843-883-9636 or jmcmullen@sullivansisland.sc.gov

Tyler Mahon - Patrol Officer
Tyler started with the town in 2023. He comes to the island with 6 years of law enforcement experience, he prides himself on bolstering community partnerships and engagement through his involvement within the community! Tyler can be reached at 843-883-9636 or tmahon@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Michael Mitchum- Patrol Officer
Michael began his law enforcement career with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office in 2021. Prior to entering law enforcement, Michael worked in wildlife biology and the veterinary field, earning a Master of Science degree from Clemson University. His transition into public service began with a part-time role as a beach patrol officer for the Sullivan’s Island Police Department, where he discovered a strong passion for community engagement. Encouraged by then-Patrol Officer (now Lieutenant) Shaffer, Michael applied to and joined the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. His time at CCSO was instrumental in shaping his skills, building lifelong friendships, and affirming his dedication to public service. In August 2024, he returned to the Sullivan’s Island Police Department, bringing with him the knowledge and experience to continue serving the community with purpose and commitment. Michael can be reached at mmitchum@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

 
 

Gracynn Famer- Beach Services
Gracynn began working with the Sullivan’s Island Police Department as a Beach Service officer in May of 2024. She also graduated in May of 2024 with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Trident Technical College. Gracynn loves being able to work with such an amazing group of people in the Police Department and enjoy driving down the beach and meeting new people every day. You can contact me at (843) 789-0427 or gfarmer@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Abraham Gil- Beach Services
Abe joined the Sullivan's Island Police Department in May 2025. Originally from San Diego, CA, he came to the department with over 15 years of service in public works and 8 years of service in Emergency Medical Services in multiple states throughout the country. Abe considers it a privilege and an honor to serve the community in any way he can. He enjoys working with such a great group of people in the Police Department where he is eager to help fellow employees and citizens in any capacity he can. You can reach Abe at agil@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Collin Livingston- Beach Services
Collin joined the Sullivan's Island Police Department as a Beach Service Officer in March of 2023. He graduated from the Citadel in May 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Intelligence and Security Studies. Collin loves patrolling the beach and streets of Sullivan's Island, chatting up members of the community and assisting his fellow officers. You can reach Collin at clivingston@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Jacob Padgett- Beach Services
Jacob is from the Charleston area and currently attends Trident Technical College where he is pursuing a degree in the field of Criminal Justice. Jacob joined the Sullivan’s Island Police Department in July 2024. He enjoys working with everyone in the department and taking rides down the beach. Jacob can be reached at jpadgett@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

 John "Coach" Patterson- Beach Services
John  joined the Sullivan's Island Police Department in March of 2024 as a Beach Services Officer. Most people know him as "Coach" as he has been a football coach and educator in the Carolinas for more than 40 years. He graduated from Guilford College with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education and a Masters Degree from East Carolina University in Education. John became interest in joining the police force to serve the community and be part of a great team. You can reach John at jpatterson@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Bob Polcha- Beach Services
Bob joined the Sullivan's Island Police Department in May 2025. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1994 and received a master’s degree from Stony Brook University in 2002. Bob enjoys patrolling the beaches and meeting new people. Bob can be reached at rpolcha@sullivansisland.sc.gov.