Q: What is the role of a County Sheriff?
A: The Sheriff, as the top law enforcement officer, oversees peace and order within a county. Their duties include enforcing local and state laws, handling legal paperwork, managing jails, and ensuring courtroom security. Elected by the community, the sheriff is entrusted with safeguarding the well-being of all citizens in their jurisdiction. Additionally, they collaborate closely with local city police departments, state agencies, and federal authorities.
Q: Why should voters vote for me?
A: At an early age, my parents instilled in me and my siblings the true meaning of Christianity, a heart of service, love for fellow man, and dedication to community. No greater lesson of Christianity and love for fellow man was taught than when my mother and father took in a family of four who were in need. The amazing thing about that act of kindness was my parents lived in a 3-bedroom home and already had five children of their own living there. In my young mind, I wondered why my parents would bring more people into our home when I was already sleeping with my brothers’ feet in my face! I remember even before they took the other family in, my mother always woke up and cooked breakfast for our family, and she continued to do so after they took the other family in and even had to cook more because of the extra people at our table. What stood out to me was I never once heard my mother complain; she just continued to work, cook, and clean as she always had. Little did I know they were teaching us that we have to be thankful for what we have because it could have easily been our family in need. They were also teaching us the true meaning of having love for your fellow man and being dedicated to the people of your community. That is why I feel voters should vote for me. Those same lessons I learned as a little boy will be the same ones I continue to incorporate daily as your sheriff. I love everyone in this community, and I will forever be dedicated to protecting and safeguarding the rights of every citizen.
Q: What makes me different from my opponents?
A: My distinction from my opponents lies in the 14 years I’ve spent in the trenches, witnessing firsthand the trauma and heartbreak our community members endure. My presence has been a constant during their darkest hours, offering solace to a grieving mother, or serving as a refuge in the aftermath of a domestic situation. Such experiences have forged a unique and authentic bond with the community—one that comes from being the first responder they rely on in times of crisis. As a native of Toombs County, my deep-rooted affection and concern for the well-being of our residents is unwavering. This frontline experience equips me to lead and mentor deputies, ensuring they serve every citizen with the same dedication I’ve upheld for over a decade. The gratitude expressed by citizens I’ve aided is invaluable to me and underscores my commitment to law enforcement. As your sheriff, I pledge to be an active presence, not confined to an office but visible in schools, businesses, and at community gatherings, occasionally accompanying deputies on calls. It’s this hands-on approach that I believe truly makes a difference.
Q: What makes me a leader?
A: First, a leader must have integrity. More specifically, being a leader in law enforcement requires having a strong moral compass, and I can say that from the very first moment I took my oath, it has been my honor to represent the sheriff’s office and serve the people of Toombs County with integrity. In law enforcement, multiple temptations arise, and there are also split-second decisions we must make. Depending on those decisions, they can have lasting positive or negative effects on officers and the community. If a strong moral compass does not guide us, we can easily make decisions that bring shame to the department, our community, and our families.
Secondly, a leader or sheriff must possess empathy. It is impossible to lead a department or community if you do not have genuine respect for all citizens and make decisions based on understanding their needs and being acutely aware of their thoughts and feelings.
Thirdly, a leader in law enforcement must possess self-awareness. It is imperative that a leader can look inwardly, identify their weaknesses, and be humble enough to admit they do not have every answer. I realize that although I am a leader, I am not perfect. I still strive daily to better myself in every aspect of life.
Lastly, a law enforcement leader must have the ability to respect all people regardless of that person’s social standing. I am unequivocally committed to respecting and treating every person in our community equally and fairly. If I get out of my bed at 3AM to be there for a person of financial and political influence, you better believe I will do the same for a person with no political influence at all. Being a sheriff means that you are willing to go the extra mile for ALL people, not just people who benefit your personal ambitions. That is a true and fair leader.
Q: What have I done that qualifies me for the position of sheriff?
A: My entrepreneurial endeavors, along with my experience in budgeting and personnel management, are complemented by my academic background in law enforcement management. Currently, I’m furthering my education in business and management. My leadership roots run deep within the community, and my professional network spans across various sectors including politics, business, and entertainment, both statewide and internationally. These experiences contribute to my capability to steer our department effectively.
However, what I believe truly sets me apart as a candidate is my profound affection for our community and my ambition to elevate our department to a level that instills unwavering trust in our commitment to their safety, security, and quality of life. It is essential that every resident and visitor feels confident that their department is under vigilant leadership that actively combats crime and disorder. Above all, it is crucial for the people of this county to rest assured that their well-being is the paramount concern of their sheriff’s department, and I am wholeheartedly dedicated to that mission.
Q: What changes would I make from an operational standpoint?
A: First, I would enact recruiting efforts to increase diversity within the department. I am a firm believer that agencies should reflect the people they serve. Diversity within our department helps build trust and legitimacy in the community and ensures that all members of society are treated with dignity and respect.
Secondly, I would form a multi-agency task force (TSCO, LPD & VPD) whose main purpose will be crime suppression. Our community has seen a rise in crime and overdoses over the past few years, and the task force will focus solely on investigating gangs, the sale of illegal drugs, violence, and all other illegal activities. Creating a multi-agency task force helps create safer communities, reduce crime, build public trust, and allows the task force officers to be extensively trained and prepared to respond to emergency situational issues within our county. I have already met with a regional vice president of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association (GGIA), and he has pledged to help form the task force and provide training at no cost to taxpayers. The task force will be vital in reducing crime and improving quality of life for all citizens.
Third, I would incorporate diversion programs within the jail. These programs will target people who are incarcerated and are at risk of re-offending upon their release from jail. It is imperative that these individuals have the opportunity to be a part of a program that helps them with anger management, decision-making, improving their behaviors, skills, mental health, social functioning, and access to education and employment. One of the programs will allow our jail to partner with local organizations to provide a trade to these individuals, which will help them secure a job upon their release. This will be at no cost to the sheriff’s department or citizens of Toombs County. Once we can establish successful diversion programs in our jail, we will be able to reduce the cost of running the jail, saving taxpayers’ dollars. Currently, we have zero rehabilitation, diversion or educational programs at our detention center. Only recently has our jail begun working with an organization to provide inmates treatment regarding substance abuse, and I applaud those efforts but it’s an initiative that should have been implemented years ago and we must do more if we are to make a serious impact on the growing epidemic of substance abuse.
Lastly, transparency will be a cornerstone of my administration. I will introduce a new event called a community briefing, which will be held every year. At the community briefing, I will update our citizens on what has happened in the past year at the sheriff’s office and future plans for the sheriff’s office. Citizens will also be informed of the budget for the sheriff’s office. Citizens can also ask questions and give their opinions and ideas for a better agency. I will also incorporate the sheriff's advisory board. The sheriff's advisory board will consist of members of the community that will advise me on issues such as community engagement, public events, and administrative planning. The board’s assistance will be vital in developing future comprehensive planning concerning the growth of the sheriff’s office in conjunction with the needs of the community. I will also implement a true open door policy for all citizens, not just ones that serve me politically or personally! All citizens will be encouraged to come see me if they have any cares or concerns. Transparency builds trust and promotes a positive relationship with the community and the sheriff’s office.
Q: What would I like to accomplish in my first 30-90 days?
A: I would like to immediately address the rise in homelessness and crime that our community has faced within the past few years. Whether it is violence, gang activity, the sale of drugs, burglaries, or car break-ins, I am committed to tackling every level of criminal activity in our community head-on! I am confident that the multi-agency task force we will create will be a catalyst for reducing crime in our community. We MUST BE proactive in our approach in dealing with all levels of criminal activity, as opposed to reacting to crimes once they have been committed. We have to initiate proactive crime suppression methods throughout the entire county, and in order to be effective in combating crime, a sheriff and his command staff must have a positive working relationship with both Lyons PD and Vidalia PD. With that being said, I will work diligently to restore a positive working relationship with both municipal agencies and promote effective crime suppression collaborations for the betterment and safety of our citizens. I do not want to take away from the amazing job that our law enforcement officers are already doing to address this issue. We have amazing, dedicated, and hardworking officers and deputies in our community, and they unselfishly put their lives on the line every day to ensure our safety. They should all be commended for their selfless acts of courage and bravery. I am proud to say I have worked alongside the best for 14 years.
Secondly, I will work to address staffing and retention issues our department is currently facing. Although many departments across the country are facing similar challenges, I believe that if a leader leads with integrity and empathy and foster an environment of trust and support for his/her staff at EVERY LEVEL, it will address a percentage of the retention issue. Leaders must cultivate a working environment where employees feel appreciated and made to feel that they're making a difference in the lives of every citizen they come in contact with. If a deputy or other personnel have specialized training and educations, a leader should recognize their potential and utilize an employees expertise and experience to ensure that citizens are receiving the best service possible. You have my word that I will employ the qualifications and expertise of every employee.
Another thing I would like to work on immediately is forming the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office Foundation. The mission of the foundation would be to support the sheriff’s office in our endeavors to create a safer and prosperous community. There are three main categories that the foundation will assist the sheriff’s department:Equipment & Training
To support the purchase of equipment and specialized training for the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office, which goes to the core of our mission to ensure a safe and prosperous community.
Emergency Aid Program
This program will provide financial aid to Toombs County Sheriff’s Office deputies or staff in emergency situations. If deputies or staff request assistance with light bills, medical bills, groceries, etc., the foundation will provide funding for those requests. The foundation will never provide cash directly but will make checks payable to vendors, or the foundation will pay vendors directly.
Community Outreach Events
As sheriff, one of my fundamental areas of focus will be building upon the department's relationship with the community. There is no better way to ensure a trusting relationship with the community than to have effective community outreach efforts. Donations will be used for events like Donuts with Deputies, Community Barbecue, Annual Fishing with the Law, National Night Out, Annual Community Briefing, and Do the Right Thing Youth Program.