Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer conducted a badge-pinning ceremony this week for five newly hired deputies.
The sheriff administered the oath of office for Becky Pursley, Roberth Mata, Anthony Lee, Charles Smith and James Fowler. The oath was followed by badge pinnings.
Pursley has worked for the sheriff’s office for about 10 years as a dispatcher.
Lee was pinned by his father Hugh Lee, a long-time public defender in Sumter County.
Smith was pinned by his father, a Bradford County deputy. His uncle, Gordon Smith, is the sheriff of Bradford County was also in attendance.