Israel Brooks, Jr.
Israel Brooks, Jr. Highway safety is something that citizens too often take for granted. A major responsibility of Israel Brooks, Jr. is to be sure that the highways are as safe as possible for all who travel on them. Nominated by Senator Ernest Hollings and appointed by President Bill Clinton, he has been United States Marshal for the District of South Carolina since March 1994. Born in Newberry, South Carolina, in 1944, Brooks is the fourth of seven children. His parents emphasized hard work and responsibility. He served in the US Marine Corps for four and a half years and was honorably discharged in 1967 with the rank of sergeant. His work assignments included a tour at the National Security Agency in Laurel, Maryland, where his duties required a ‘top-secret’ cryptographic clearance obtained through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. From 1967 to 1994, he served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol. His first job was in Beaufort County, where by 1975 he was promoted to sergeant. A good highway patrol person can also be a good teacher. Brooks was a South Carolina highway patrol police instructor from 1976 to 1982. He attended many law enforcement related schools throughout the country, mastering the most efficient techniques, and supervising and training law enforcement officers from many statewide agencies. In 1982, as a lieutenant, he became the Highway Patrol’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. His responsibilities included statewide recruiting, affirmative action, researching and compiling of statistics, serving on promotion boards, and internal affairs’ investigations. In 1987, he was promoted to captain and became the commanding officer of the Internal Affairs Unit. This organization was the first formal unit of the highway patrol since its inception. In 1990, Brooks was promoted again. He became a major and was assigned as Highway Patrol Administrative Officer with administrative duties for the entire South Carolina highway system. In March 1994, he relinquished that position to accept President Clinton’s offer to become Marshal for the District of South Carolina. Brooks has lectured throughout the state and the nation. He has received numerous awards for his professional and public service. he was selected by the American Society for Public Administration as one of the 1995 recipients of the National Public Service Award. The award recipients represent local, state, national, and international management level practitioners, who are dedicated public servants who make outstanding contributions. Marshal Brooks accepted the “Distinguished District of the Year Award” in 1996. This award was given to the District of South Carolina for being the “best district in the nation in efficiency, service, and work ethics.” Brooks has served on numerous committees including the US Marshals Service Director’s Advisory Committee, the Federal Executive Council, and the South Carolina Correctional Association Board.