Wagener Police Dept.

08/25/2026

🚨Wagener-Salley High School Threats 🚨

Good Evening Wagener-Salley High School Families,

School Administration and Law Enforcement are investigating a rumor that a student who was recently suspended following a threat toward another student may bring a weapon to school.

The rumor has not been substantiated, and the student involved remains suspended and is not permitted on school grounds. Please be assured that we take every report of a potential threat seriously and work closely with school administration to investigate all information brought to our attention.

We understand that rumors of this nature can cause considerable concern for students, families and staff. We ask that students and families avoid sharing unverified information, particularly on social media, as doing so can increase anxiety and interfere with the investigation.

If you or your student becomes aware of information related to this concern or any potential safety threat, please report it immediately to school administration or law enforcement. We appreciate those who appropriately reported this concern so that it could be promptly investigated.

The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. We will communicate directly with families if the investigation identifies any credible concern or additional action that warrants your attention.

Out of an abundance of caution, additional law enforcement presence and enhanced safety precautions will be in place at the school. These measures are precautionary and should not be interpreted as an indication that the reported threat has been substantiated.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us maintain a safe and secure school environment.

08/19/2026

The Wagener Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fellow law enforcement officers mourning the tragic loss of
Richmond County Sheriff's Office - Georgia Deputy Phillip Wasson.

Your service, sacrifice, and commitment to your community will not be forgotten.
🕊️👮🏻‍♂️

08/16/2026

🚨 COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE REQUESTED – PLEASE SHARE 🚨

We are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the individual pictured below in connection with the reported theft of a four-wheeler from a residential garage in the Lake Amelia Road area near the Aiken County/Lexington County line.

Residents throughout Wagener, Salley, Perry, New Holland, Hollow Creek, Pelion, Swansea, and surrounding communities are encouraged to remain vigilant and review any available security or trail-camera footage.

If you recognize this individual, know his whereabouts, or have information that may assist with this investigation, please contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.

Please do not approach or confront the individual. Provide any information directly to law enforcement.

Reporting suspicious activity and sharing what you know could help recover the stolen property, assist law enforcement in identifying those responsible, and help prevent you, your family, or another member of our community from becoming the next victim.

See something. Know something. Say something.
🙏 🗣️

Please share and help us get the word out.
🚔

07/31/2026

Our thoughts and prayers, go out to Master Deputy Jillian Olson, her family & love ones and the Lexington County Sheriff's Department during this incredibly difficult time.

We stand with all those affected and pray for strength, comfort, peace, and healing in the days ahead. May God watch over and protect all who continue to serve.

Lexington County deputy dies during dive team training

LEXINGTON, S.C. – A member of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s dive team died Thursday during an underwater training session on Lake Murray.

Jillian Olson, 29, began her career as a Lexington County deputy in 2021. After more than a year as a patrol deputy, she transferred to a warrant deputy position. Olson was promoted to master deputy in the Warrant Division in 2025. She has been a member of the LCSD dive team since 2024.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of a valuable member of the Sheriff’s Department,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Jillian exemplified commitment and service. She faithfully carried out her duties and selflessly worked to make those around her better.”

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Foundation named Olson the outstanding judicial services deputy of the year at its annual awards banquet last spring, according to Koon.

“The foundation recognized Jillian for showing exceptional initiative and leadership by, on her own time, developing reference guides and document templates for use by judicial services deputies,” Koon said. “The tools Jillian developed improved deputy training and operational workflow.”

Olson, a resident of Lexington, received the Sheriff’s Department’s tactical operations support award in 2023. She was scheduled to receive the department’s five-year honorable service award next month.

A native of Illinois, Olson graduated from Western Illinois University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration. She completed a master’s degree in student personnel services from the institution in 2021.

“Jillian’s dedication to her community and department is well-documented with awards and recognitions,” Koon said. “She’ll be most remembered for what she did with no fanfare. Her decision to join our dive team is just one example of her going above and beyond.”

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation into Olson's death, with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The Lexington County Coroner's Office is conducting its own investigation to determine Olson's cause and manner of death.

"I am grateful to DNR, SLED and our county coroner for the sensitive and respectful way they've handled everything," Koon said. "I would also like to express my thanks to the countless public safety agencies that responded without hesitation from across the whole state to help us in our time of need."

07/27/2026

🚨 PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT 🚨

The Wagener Police Department is aware of social media posts and scanner notifications reporting a shooting at the Piggly Wiggly in Wagener.

At this time, those reports are FALSE. There has been no confirmed shooting at the Piggly Wiggly.

We understand that scanner traffic and third-party alert applications can sometimes contain inaccurate, incomplete, or unverified information. We encourage the public to rely on official information released by the Wagener Police Department and our public safety partners before sharing or acting on reports circulating online.

We appreciate everyone’s concern and cooperation. If there is ever a legitimate threat to public safety, the Wagener Police Department or Aiken County Sheriff’s Office will notify the community promptly through our official communication channels.

Thank you for helping us prevent the spread of misinformation.

Jermaine R. Martin, Chief
Wagener Police Department

07/17/2026

🫶🏾🚔📚🍎

Aiken County Public School District returns to the classroom Monday, July 20, 2026.

As another school year begins, we ask everyone to slow down, stay alert, and exercise patience around schools and school buses. The safety of our children is a shared responsibility.

Together, we can make this school year a safe and successful one for every student, teacher, parent, and school employee.

Arrive Early. Take Your Time. Avoid Rushing. Stay Safe!

07/14/2026

🚨🚨WANTED!!🚨🚨

Our neighbors, the Perry Police Department is seeking to identify the pictured individual in reference to a crime that occurred at the Enmarket in Perry.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

If you know who this individual is, please reach out to Chief Scott Werre.

🚔👮🏼‍♀️

04/09/2026

The Wagener Police Department is happy to announce that the SCDOT road work throughout Wagener is almost complete. We are grateful for the SCDOT’s attention to our community’s asthetics and safety.

With that in mind, we are aware of some concerns in the placement of signage by the SCDOT at the intersection of Sand Damn Road and Main Street. We are also aware of some misinformation being disseminated on social media about the signage; specifically that the “no left turn” sign should have be removed.

We have reached out to the SCDOT for clarification on the placement so as to ensure that we are providing accurate information from the authoritative source. The response we received from the SCDOT is as follows:

“Officer Martin,

The SCDOT has the "No Left Turn" sign at the intersection of Sandam Rd and Main St in Wagener installed due to the Geometry of the intersection and the fact that it is a yield-controlled intersection. It would be unsafe for traffic to make a left turn without stopping to look for oncoming traffic. The SCDOT has no intention of removing this sign and You can go ahead and enforce it accordingly.

SCDOT Aiken, SC”

The WPD understands your frustration which may have been perpetuated by inaccurate information provided by nonstakeholders. It is our wish to counteract this misinformation with transparency and accuracy.

Municipalities, nor their law enforcement agencies, are involved in anyway with the determination of traffic signage and its placement… This is determined solely by the engineers with the SCDOT.

~ Jermaine R Martin, Chief
Wagener Police Department

04/06/2026

The Wagener Police Department would like to remind all citizens to remain vigilant against the growing number of fraud and scam attempts affecting our community.

Scammers often pose as trusted organizations, law enforcement, or even family members to gain your trust and personal information. They may create a sense of urgency, pressure you to act quickly, or request payment through unusual methods such as gift cards, wire transfers, or digital apps.

Please remember:

Never share personal or financial information with unknown individuals
Do not click suspicious links or respond to unexpected messages
Verify all requests by contacting the organization directly
If something feels wrong, trust your instincts

If you believe you have been targeted or fallen victim to a scam, please contact the Wagener Police Department immediately.

Stay alert. Stay informed. Protect yourself and your community.