Charleston Reporter

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster last week saluted longtime Live 5 News anchor Bill Sharpe with the state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto.

“For 48 years, @BillSharpelive5 has told the stories of Charleston one broadcast at a time and has become one of the most accomplished journalists in the country,” McMaster tweeted. “Today, I was honored to award him the Order of the Palmetto. Congratulations on retirement, Bill.”

McMaster presented Sharpe with the award Oct. 27, the day before Sharpe was set to officially retire after the 5 p.m. newscast.

“You have earned a special place in the history of our state, and you are an icon and one of the most respected and trusted journalists in the state and also, at the same time, a marvelous reflection of the goodness and the greatness of the Lowcountry and South Carolina” McMaster told Sharpe.

McMaster said he presented Sharpe with the honor on behalf of all the state’s 5.2 million proud residents. 

Earlier in the day, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg surprised Sharpe at a gathering outside Live 5 News studios, where he officially declared the day Bill Sharpe Day in Charleston.  

Sharpe first joined Live 5 News on Oct. 3, 1973, when he was 22 years old. Over his nearly five decades with the station, he earned numerous awards for both feature and investigative reporting and has been part of newscasts that earned Emmy and Peabody Awards. 

As recently as in August, the South Carolina Broadcasters Association named him Anchor of the Year.

Recognizing outstanding service to the state and outstanding achievements of South Carolina citizens, the first Order of Palmetto was presented in 1971 by the late former Gov. John West.