Polk, Dirty Dancing producer recognizes sheriff’s office

Published 10:00 pm Monday, May 30, 2016

The Polk County Board of Commissioners thanked and recognized the Polk County Sheriff’s Office during its Monday, May 23 meeting after the county received a letter from Dirty Dancing producers thanking the sheriff’s office for their work while filming in the county. (Photo by Leah Justice)

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was recognized last week following their work in helping the filming of Dirty Dancing.

Filming was done along U.S. 74 in Polk County on May 17. Filming has also wrapped at the Party and Event Place in Saluda, where all the dancing scenes were filmed a couple of weeks ago.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, May 23 and recognized the sheriff’s office for work done recently, including investigating a murder as well as the work during the filming.

Dirty Dancing Producer Bill Hill, 1st AD Leo Bauer and location manager Ellen Pfirrmann sent the county a letter following the filming.

“For our entire team at ‘Dirty Dancing’ I wanted to let you know what an incredible job the Polk County Sheriff’s Department did with our driving work on Tuesday, May 17, 2016,” states the letter. “On the surface our request may have seemed fairly simple but in fact it was complicated with many moving parts. Sheriff (Donald), Capt. (Scott) Holt and the deputies made it all look easy and kept everyone safe.

“I was personally honored to have met these gentlemen and want to commend them for their professionalism and grace on what was a difficult day. Honestly, I have not worked with a better group of public safety officers anywhere in the country.”

Commissioner chairman Michael Gage said Polk County also had a recent situation where a truck driver lost his life and several drug busts the sheriff’s office has handled.

“We’re just really proud of you and want you to know that,” Gage said.

County manager Marche Pittman spoke of the letter from Dirty Dancing.

Commissioner Shane Bradley said in working with Polk emergency services on all levels in Polk County, “we have some of the best emergency personnel.”

“It’s a very unappreciated job,” Bradley said. “Thank you for all you do.”

Commissioner Ted Owens said it’s all the things the sheriff’s office does, like when people have funerals, officers out there directing traffic and showing people compassion that really matter.

“You’re doing it because you have concern for the citizens,” Owens said. “Donald, it’s because of your leadership. Donald deserves the credit as well as the ones who do the job.”

Commissioner Ray Gasperson said Polk is a small county and people see Sheriff Hill all the time and know him.

“I’m very appreciative and I’m thankful of that,” Gasperson said.