MPO Tony Rhinehart

“A precious one from us is gone, a voice we loved is still; a place is vacant in our hearts which only God can fill.” Mr. Tony Rhinehart was born on January 20, 1962, in Columbia, South Carolina and transitioned from this earthly life peacefully at home on March 2, 2023. He was the beloved son of Eve (Eva) Dinkins Rhinehart and the late Adam A. Rhinehart, Jr. As a young man Tony enjoyed playing football. During his four years at Columbia High School, he lettered three times in varsity football. Tony loved watching football almost as much playing it. He would watch his favorite team player “Tom Brady” as often as he could. He was also fond of exercising, shopping, traveling, music and trivia. Tony was the king of trivia; no one could beat him when he played this game. Once graduating from high school, Tony continued his education at Midland Technical College where he received numerous certifications on the path to achieving his goal of becoming a law enforcement officer. In the early 1980’s, Tony started his career with Ampro security company and worked diligently until he joined the police department at the University of South Carolina. In 1995, Tony dreams became reality when he joined the City of Columbia Police Department to serve and protect his community and the city that he loved so dearly. Tony later went on to retire after seventeen (17) years of dedicated service, but only managed to make retirement last for seventeen (17) days. He loved his city so much, that he rejoined the police force and took back his role as a Master Police Officer. He then went on to serve eleven (11) more years, marking a total of twenty-eight (28) years of dedication to the city. As a Master Police Officer, Tony took pride in protecting his community and was a faithful advocate for justice. He received numerous accolades over the years for his outstanding work in the neighborhoods he protected. The integrity, bravery, and continued sense of commitment that Tony possessed will be remembered and cherished forever. In his spiritual life, Tony joined First Nazareth Baptist Church and remained a member until he departed this life for Heaven’s greener pastures. He leaves behind to cherish and preserve his memory; his spouse, Lynn Burns Rhinehart; his precious daughter, Gabrielle Christian Charlotte Rhinehart of Columbia, SC; his oldest loving daughter, Tonisha Nicole Rhinehart of Cleveland, Tennessee; his loving mother, Eve (Eva) Dinkins Rhinehart of Columbia, SC; one sister, Tami (Vincent) Rhinehart Northington, Sr. of Columbia, SC; his uncles: Gregory (Doris) Lindsey, Sr., Lewis (Jackie) Dinkins, Ernest (Myrtle) Dinkins, Johnny (Bennie Ruth) Harp; his aunts Hilda Dinkins, Lille Rauch and Dorothy Patterson, all of Columbia, SC, and a host of family and friends who will miss him dearly.

MPO Tony Rhinehart

January 20, 1962 - March 2, 2023