Sgt. Marcus Rhodes, with the Horry County Sheriff's Department, has been honored with a Jefferson Award for his work in law enforcement and his dedication to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and his local area program. Rhodes serves on the South Carolina LETR Executive Council and chairs the Myrtle Beach Polar Plunge, the largest LETR polar plunge in South Carolina. In 2018, the Myrtle Beach Polar plunge raised $100,000. Rhodes was a Final Leg runner for the 2013 World Winter Games in South Korea.
Over the years, Marcus has dedicated countless hours to the local program, helping out with local programs, serving on the area leadership team or serving as head of delegation for the area at State Summer Games.
The Jefferson Awards Foundation was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft Jr., and Sam Beard. The Jefferson awards are given to local unsung heroes for outstanding public service.