LEESBURG– The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office hosted speaker Paul Butler on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for his “Leadership for a Lifetime” course. The afternoon session took place at the agency’s training center in Leesburg.

According to the sheriff’s office, Butler discussed leadership, teamwork, maintaining a positive attitude, and leading by example. His visit brought a speaker with 27 years of law enforcement experience to the county’s training facility.

Sheriff Jeff Shaver said the training reflects the agency’s commitment to its personnel and the community they serve.

“We are committed to providing the best training opportunities for our deputies and other law enforcement officers,” Shaver said. “That’s what this profession deserves, and more importantly, that’s what the citizens of Cherokee County deserve.”

Leadership at Every Level

Butler’s published course description expands on the themes the sheriff’s office highlighted after Wednesday’s session. The presentation’s full title is “Leadership for a Lifetime: How the Past Prepares Us for the Future.”

The program also emphasizes personal character, professional conduct, and using individual strengths to build a productive team. It also describes leadership as an ability people can develop regardless of rank or position.

In addition, Butler’s accompanying team model examines how people lead, help others develop, and contribute as teammates. It also addresses behaviors that undermine a team’s work and how individuals can return to productive roles.

For Wednesday’s course, the sheriff’s office specifically cited teamwork, attitude, and setting an example among the lessons he shared.

Experience in Policing and Executive Leadership

Butler’s law enforcement career included work as a training officer, sergeant, crisis negotiator, police chief, and chief deputy.

According to his official biography, he became chief of the Aynor Police Department in South Carolina at age 22. He also holds degrees in communication and criminal justice.

Later, while serving as chief deputy of the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, Butler attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He graduated with the 220th session in 2005.

His biography also notes that classmates selected him as their graduation speaker alongside then-FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Butler has also presented to audiences across North America, Europe, Africa, and South America.

A Shared FBI National Academy Connection

Butler and Cherokee County Chief Deputy Josh Summerford share a connection through the FBI National Academy. The sheriff’s office noted that both completed the advanced leadership program, whose graduates represent fewer than 1% of U.S. law enforcement officers.

Summerford graduated from the academy’s 279th session on March 13, 2020. He became the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office’s first National Academy graduate.

His class included 255 law enforcement officials representing 49 states and 32 other countries, according to the agency’s graduation announcement.

The FBI describes the National Academy as a 10-week residential program for law enforcement leaders from the United States and other countries. Its curriculum also includes executive leadership, agency management, physical fitness, behavioral science, and contemporary policing strategies.

In addition, the program offers university-level instruction through a partnership with the University of Virginia. Participants study together and build professional relationships that support cooperation across agencies.

Continuing Training in Leesburg

Wednesday’s session added to the training opportunities at the sheriff’s office’s Leesburg facility.

As WEIS reported during a tour before the center opened in 2025, the building contains approximately 4,000 square feet. It includes classroom space and multimedia equipment for instruction, briefings, and meetings.

The sheriff’s office later hosted its first official multiagency training session there on July 29, 2025. That class focused on Alabama legal updates, with instruction from the District Attorney’s Office.

For Butler’s visit, the agency thanked him for spending the afternoon sharing his experience and leadership lessons.

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