Florence police are mourning the death of Lieutenant Samuel Toney.
Toney was found dead at his home Monday evening, according to Major Carlos Raines. Toney, a Hartsville native, has served on the Florence City Police Department for 39 years., and, according to the department’s website, was commander of the patrol division.
Toney was serving as a Squad Commander in the Uniformed Patrol Division at the time of his death.
During his tenure Lt. Toney also served in the crime prevention unit and in the criminal investigations division as an investigator.
Lieutenant Toney was well respected in and outside of the City of Florence.
He was a Community Police Officer long before anyone ever thought about that as being the most effective law enforcement practice.
Toney had a passion for seeing the youth of our community exceed in life too.
During his employment, he worked with many police department programs involving youth activities and camps.
He always developed a special rapport with the children.
He had a quick wit and an ever-present smile on his face.
He also had an innate ability to defuse tense situations with a very composed demeanor and calm voice.
Florence County Coroner Keith von Lutcken said Toney died of natural causes.
He was 64-years-old.
