For nearly three decades, James "Hound Dog" Pringle has answered calls for service in Manning — often without a paycheck, always with a smile and a servant's heart.
Last month, the City of Manning Police Department announced Pringle's promotion to lieutenant over its reserve officer program, recognizing a career that spans law enforcement, firefighting, municipal service and ministry.
For Police Chief Sean Briley, the promotion reflects far more than rank.
"James has dedicated his life to serving others," Briley said. "Whether he's maintaining our vehicles, helping solve technology issues, supporting officers on patrol or serving this community through the fire service, he's always willing to step up wherever he's needed. He's the kind of person every department hopes to have — dependable, humble and completely committed to serving others."
Pringle's story began in Manning.
A lifelong Clarendon County resident, he attended Manning High School before later returning to earn his diploma. His first city job came in 1984, working on a sanitation crew collecting trash throughout the city. After leaving municipal employment, he worked in construction and later spent more than seven years at Santee Cooper before returning to the City of Manning in the early 1990s.
Along the way, he discovered a passion that would help define the rest of his career.
"I always loved fire trucks," Pringle said.
While working at Santee Cooper, he spent his days off hanging around the fire station, eventually convincing then-Fire Chief Carter Jones to let him join a volunteer firefighter class in the mid-1990s.
"That's when everything changed," Pringle said.
What began as volunteer service evolved into a career. Following leadership changes within the department, city officials approached Pringle about joining the fire department full time. He accepted, launching a public safety career that would eventually include firefighting, fleet maintenance, emergency medical service work and law enforcement.
In 2000, Pringle added another role when he joined the Manning Police Department's reserve officer program under then-Chief Randy Garrett. Although reserve officers receive no salary, they complete the same training and certification requirements and carry the same law enforcement authority as full-time officers.
More than 25 years later, Pringle still serves as a reserve officer, often contributing 20 or more hours a week in addition to his other duties.
"I love police work. I love the fire department. I love doing both," Pringle said. "I just had a passion for serving."
That commitment extends well beyond a badge.
Pringle and his wife, Amy, have been married nearly 23 years and share a blended family of seven children. He also serves as a minister at Fresh Fire Christian Life Center, where he previously spent years as a deacon before entering ministry.
Today, his responsibilities reach far beyond reserve supervision. Briley described Pringle as a "jack of all trades" who oversees fleet maintenance for police vehicles, assists with fire apparatus, maintains records and helps solve computer and technology issues throughout the department.
Pringle officially retired in 2024, but the retirement didn't last long.
"I came back," he said with a laugh.
Asked why, his answer was simple.
"I love serving. I love the people. I love the community," Pringle said. "That's why I never left Manning."
Now 59, Pringle says he has no timetable for stepping away again.
"As long as the good Lord lets me go, I'll keep going," he said.
After nearly 47 years connected to city government and public service, Pringle's promotion is less a milestone than a reflection of a reputation built over decades — one earned through long hours, quiet dedication and a willingness to serve wherever needed.
And for the man known around town as "Hound Dog," that service remains as much a calling as it is a career.
"What I learned in life is if we go around frowning all the time, we can never please God," Pringle said. "You've got to bring people in. That's what we're supposed to do."
