Executive Director
Jarrod M. Bruder joined the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association as Deputy Director in August of 2013. Following the retirement of longtime Director, Jeff Moore, Bruder was promoted to the role of Executive Director for the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association in August 2014.
Role of Executive Director
As Executive Director, Jarrod oversees the day-to-day operations of the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association, a 501 (c)(3) organization that consists of all 46 elected Sheriffs and over 32,000 Honorary Members. Sheriffs depend on Bruder to provide critical assistance and support through researching legal issues, providing alternative funding methods, offering guidance on departmental policies and procedures, and supplying insight into governmental processes.
Mr. Bruder also serves as a lobbyist for the Association and works diligently to advocate on the Sheriffs' behalf at the Statehouse where he strives to promote and enhance the law enforcement profession, improve public safety, and protect communities through legislative initiatives. As the Association's lobbyist, Jarrod works closely with Sheriffs, Chiefs, and other agency heads throughout South Carolina to ensure the concerns of the law enforcement profession are heard. Bruder's most notable legislative contributions have been made in policy areas involving minimum standards for law enforcement agencies, sheriff qualifications, body-worn cameras, pension system reform, mutual aid assistance, mental health transports, and police reform. In May 2015, Bruder had the honor of testifying before the US Senate Judiciary Committee regarding body-worn cameras in law enforcement.
Mr. Bruder represents the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association on the South Carolina Adult Protection Coordinating Committee, the South Carolina Amber Alert Oversight Committee (Chairman), the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, the South Carolina Impaired Driving Prevention Council (Chairman), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation Council, the South Carolina Victim's Services Coordinating Committee, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run Council (Special Olympics South Carolina). Bruder also is also an active Member of the National Sheriffs' Association where he serves on the Committee of State Sheriffs' Associations (Immediate Past Chairman) and the Governmental Affairs Committee.
Although Jarrod has never been a law enforcement officer himself, he attributes his passion for the profession to his father, brother, and brother-in-law who have all taken the oath to serve and protect. Prior to the Sheriffs' Association, Jarrod served as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers' Association (SCLEOA). Previously, Bruder has also served as the Grant Coordinator for United States Congressman J. Gresham Barrett and worked in Youth Ministry at First Baptist Church, North Augusta.
Mr. Bruder is a proud graduate of Clemson University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Minored in Communication. Jarrod is married to his lovely wife Joy. Together, the couple has three children - Ben, Mackenzie, and Katelyn.
Bruder attends Lexington Baptist Church where he leads a small group for high school boys. He also serves on the Personnel Committee and volunteers as a Deacon. In his personal time, Jarrod also attends numerous ballet recitals, theater performances, and sporting events for all of his children.
