Sheriff Leon Lott with Deborah Johnson the mother of Chief Deputy Dan Johnson. She sang the Star Spangled Banner at the American Heart Walk Campaign. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott supported the American Heart Association by committing to raise $15,000 for this year's campaign. As of March 28, 2009, after the American Heart Walk Campaign, the department had raised $29,235.54.

Sheriff Leon Lott said the department would not have been able to raise this amount without the assistance of the community, the media, and the deputies who are dedicated to living healthier lifestyles.

The American Heart Association campaign became personal for the Sheriff's Department after the loss of two deputies to heart related illnesses.

The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization working to prevent, treat, and defeat heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases that kill more than 910,000 Americans each year.

Lott is passionate about this mission, mandating that deputies receive yearly physicals, pass physical fitness assessment tests, and encourage healthier lifestyles.

Darall Lane died in December 2007 and Gary Cannon died in 2005, both from heart related illnesses. The three people on the right are the Lane family. The three on the left are the Cannon family. For more information you can call the Richland County Sheriff 's Department at (803) 576- 3491 or The American Heart Association at (803) 806-3026.