From left to right: Senior Deputy Mark Lyles, Deputy James Lindsey, Tift County Sheriff Gary Vowell, Deputy Mike Purvis, Bob Dallas Director of the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Deputy Chris Strickland and Sgt. James Partain.

        Sheriff's Office Places Third        

The Tift County Sheriff's Office finished third nationwide in the International Association of Chiefs of Police National Law Enforcement Challenge.  The IACP selected the Tift County Sheriff's Office for it's proactive approach using innovative highway safety initiatives to protect the citizens of Tift County and those who travel through this community.  The marks the fourth consecutive year that the Tift County Sheriff's Office and it's Traffic/Safety Education Unit has been recognized by the IACP.  Sheriff Vowell and the members of the Traffic/Safety Education Unit are shown receiving the award from Bob Dallas, director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

 

 Deputy Lyles Wins Award

  

Tift County Sheriff Gary Vowell is shown congratulating Senior Deputy Mark Lyles as he received the Gold Pin Award from MADD Georgia.  Deputy Lyles made 127 DUI Arrests in 2007.  Only 23 officers statewide received the award during the 4th annual Mother's Against Drunk Driving Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet held in Macon.

 

  

 EMA/911 Director Scott Bowers, Deputies Kris Stone, Lt. Dennis Reese & Sheriff Gary Vowell   

Christine Day EMA/911, Malinda McGriff Sheriff Office, Cathy Ashely Detention Center & Dot Woodall E-911

Tift County Service Awards

Sheriff's Deputy Kris Stone was recognized recently for his 5 years of service with the Tift County Sheriff's Office.  Also recognized was Lt. Dennis Reese 20 years of service to the Tift County Sheriff's Office while Assistant E-911 director Christine Day received her 10 year service award.  Malinda McGriff received recognition of her 10 years of service to the Sheriff's Office while the recently retired Cathy Asley received recognition for 15 of service to the Tift County Detention Center.  Longtime dispatcher Dot Woodall received her service award for 10 years with the E-911 Center.

 

Tift County Sheriff Gary Vowell, Deputy Chris Strickland, Deputy Mark Lyles, GOHS Director Bob Dallas, Sgt. James Partain & Deputy James Lindsey          (Not pictured is Deputy Mike Purvis)

Sheriff's Office Wins National Sheriffs' Association Award

The Tift County Sheriff's Office is the 2007 recipient of the National Sheriffs' Associations' Traffic Safety Unit Award for Child Passenger Safety.  The Tift County Sheriff's Office was selected for this prestigious Award from over sixty sheriff's offices nominated from throughout the country.  The NSA along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the International Association of Chief's of Police (IACP) made the selection.

Sheriff Vowell and members of the Tift County Traffic Safety/Education Unit are shown receiving the award from Bob Dallas director of the Georgia Governor's Office Of Highway Safety. 

Since its inception the Tift County Traffic Safety/Education unit has been recognized on both the state and national level for its effort to save lives by educating the public about the importance of safe driving and the proper use of child safety seats.

 

                

                                     Sheriff Gary Vowell, Detention Officer Cathy Ashley & Detention Administrator Captain Jerry Lipsey

        Detention Officer Cathy Ashley Retires

The Tift County Sheriff's Office held a retirement luncheon Wednesday, July 18 in honor of Cathy Ashley.  Ashley served the Sheriff's Office and this community for 15 years.

 

                

                                     Sheriff Gary Vowell, Major Jack Woolard and JD Hall, immediate past president of the Ga.  Elk's Association.

Major Jack Woolard Elk's Law Enforcement Officer Of The Year

Major Jack Woolard was recently selected as the Elk's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Georgia.  The local Elk's Lodge hosted a reception for Major Woolard June 27 with more than 200 people attending.  Major Woolard, a 34 year law enforcement veteran, thanked everyone for his selection. 

Woolard received a handgun as well as a plaque and a presentation box for the Smith & Wesson revolver.  Tift County Commission Chairman Grady Thompson presented Woolard with a proclamation which stated that Wednesday, June 27 was Major Jack Woolard Day in Tift County.

 

                                     

                                                                                 4.39 tons of trash collected during Operation Clean Sweep

                     Operation Clean Sweep A Clean Success

                                                                            

City, County and DOT officials along with civic club members, adopt a mile volunteers

plus inmates from the Tift County Jail and City Community Service Workers collected 4.39

tons of trash Saturday.  A hit list of a dozen roads was given to the various groups with

each group targeting a problem area.

 

                                                                          Sheriff Gary Vowell and an inmate picking up trash

                                          

 Tifton Elk’s Lodge Names Their Officer Of The Year

Pictured from left to right are: Marie Woolard, Sheriff Gary Vowell, Major Jack Woolard and Elk's Lodge Member Ralph Miller.

Major Jack Woolard of the Tift County Sheriff’s Office was selected by the Tifton Elk’s Lodge as their Officer of the Year during their annual Public Safety Officer Appreciation and Awards Banquet February 15.

 Major Woolard’s career in law enforcement spans more than thirty years with Sheriff Vowell saying of his longtime friend, “their’s no one that I trust more.” 

 Deputy Mike Purvis, a nine year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, was also honored by the Elk’s Lodge as the department’s Deputy of the Year while Sgt. Angel Olivas was singled out as the Detention Officer of the Year.

 The Tift County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Tifton Elk’s Lodge #1114 for their hospitality and recognition of this community’s public safety officers.

           

                                                               Sheriff Vowell is shown with Deputy Mike Purvis         Sheriff Vowell is shown with Detention Officer Angel Olivas

 Drug Bust

 After an extensive investigation conducted by the Tift County Sheriff’s Office, Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, Turner County Sheriff’s Office, Tifton Circuit District Attorney’s Office, GBI, DEA, IRS and Georgia State Patrol, three individuals have been charged with Conspiracy to Trafficking Cocaine.  They are as follows: Anthony Sean Walker, 33 yoa of 515 Coy Cox Road Omega, Ga., Leonard Earnest Royster, 47 yoa of 3101 3rd Avenue Tifton, Ga., and Michael Sherrod Kinsey, 23 yoa of 180 N. Railroad Street Norman Park, Georgia.

 The investigation focused on a large-scale cocaine distribution ring centered in Tift County.  During the course of the investigation, agents seized 4 kilograms of cocaine, over $949,000.00 in U.S. Currency, 11 automobiles, 2 all-terrain vehicles, several firearms and a large assortment of electronic equipment.  All of this property was either used during the distribution of illegal narcotics or was purchased with the proceeds of such transactions.  The investigation culminated on December 19 with the service of 6 search warrants at residences and mini-storage facilities in Tift and Colquitt Counties.

Sheriff Gary Vowell standing over more than $949,000 in cash.

 

 

 

  Major Woolard Wins Service Award 

Major Jack Woolard received the first ever “J. Harvey Davis Outstanding Service Award” for his work with Ruth’s Cottage, a shelter for victims of domestic abuse.  Major Woolard received the award from Sheriff Gary Vowell and Judge Davis’ widow, Lisa.

Major Jack Woolard is pictured on the left receiving his award from Sheriff Gary Vowell
 

Deputy Mack Doss visits with youngsters at the First United Methodist Church Pre-School.

 

The Tift County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety/Education Unit had a display at Target Distribution Center’s Annual Employee Picnic.  1,300 signed up to attend. 

 
 

Lt. Karen Reed, Capt. Larry Taylor and Sgt. Floyd Cospelich all took part in the recent Emergency Management Agencies Mock Disaster Drill.  The drill involved the North Carolina Air National Guard who flew in patients from hospitals in Savannah in case a hurricane caused an evacuation of that city.  Six area hospitals took part in the drill along with all local first responders.

 

Road Check—Tift County Deputies traveled to Cordele to assist the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, GSP and the Office of Motor Carrier Compliance with a road check on Ga. 300.  K-9 units were also involved.  Deputies with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office recently took part in a Tift County Road Check.  The spirit of cooperation is alive and well.

 

 

September 27, 2006

SHERIFF'S OFFICE SERVICE AWARDS

Capt Larry Taylor with Capt. Bobby Brannon

Capt. Larry Taylor with Capt. Tim McRae

Two Captains with the Sheriff’s Office recently received their 30ty year service awards.  Captain Bobby Brannen and Captain Tim McRae each began their service with the Tift County Sheriff’s Office in 1976.  

Captain Brannen started as a member of the Drug Squad becoming the head of the Investigative Division in 1979 and served in that capacity until 2003.  In 2003 Brannen became the head of the Support Services Division.  

Captain McRae began his service with the Sheriff’s Office as an Investigator then moved to the Patrol Division and in 1991 took charge of the Courtroom Security Division.  Captain McRae also serves as a Firearms Instructor and is very active with the Boy Scouts.

Detention Officer Ricky Sanders was recognized for his 20th years of service along with Tequilla Little 5 years, Avis Johnson 5 years and Thejuanita Gaskins 5 years of service all at the Tift County Jail.

Back Row left to right: Captain Larry Taylor, Captain Jerry Lipsey, Ricky Sanders, Captain Tim McRae & Captain Bobby Brannen.  Front Row left to right: Tequilla Little, Avis Johnson & Thejuanita Gaskins

 

September 7, 2006

WE WIN GOVERNORS OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY CHALLENGE AGAIN!

Sheriff Vowell is shown with Bob Dallas, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, while accepting one of three awards that the Sheriff’s Office won for its Traffic Safety efforts: 1st Place Governor’s Challenge Class (3), 1st Place (Statewide) Occupant Protection Program and 2nd Place (Nationwide) IACP, International Association Of Chiefs Of Police, Enforcement Challenge. 

 

 

August 20, 2006:

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

 

The Tift County Sheriffs Office recently took part in the annual "National Night Out" law enforcement community partnership to promote neighborhood safety. The local event took place near the Community Service Center on South Central Avenue and featured health screenings, face painting, music, a dance as well as dinner for everyone.

The purpose of the event was to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood spirit and law enforcement relations and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back!

 

 

June 8, 2006:

SHERIFF'S OFFICE SUPPORTS LOCAL SHELTERS

 

Members of the Tift County Sheriff’s Office recently took part in the annual Sporting Clay fund raiser for Ruth’s Cottage and the Patti Cake House.  Ruth’s Cottage is a local shelter for victims of domestic violence while the Patti Cake House is used to assist children who are the victim of abuse.

Thanks to the Tifton Skeet & Gun Club for once again hosting this fundraiser and to everyone who made the event a success.

 

 

Friday, May 19, 2006

 RAYMOND B. MERRITT LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD

Mrs. Sue Merritt with Sgt. Newell and Capt. Taylor

Mrs. Sue Merritt with Detention Sgt. Dennison and Capt. Lipsey

 

Tifton’s Optimist Club hosted its annual Raymond B. Merritt Law Enforcement Awards luncheon Friday at Shoney’s.  The award is named after Tift County Deputy Raymond Merritt who was killed in the line of duty June 8, 1991.

Detention Officer Sgt. Tanya Dennison and Deputy Sgt. Keith Newell were recipients of the award from the Sheriff’s Office while Sgt. Lester Cromer received the award on behalf of the Tifton Police Department with Trooper First Class Andrew McKenzie winning the award as a member of Georgia State Patrol Post 13 based in Tifton.  Deputy Merritt's widow, Sue Merritt, presented each officer with their award.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Tifton Optimist Club for not only hosting the award luncheon and remembering a fallen officer but also for recognizing the efforts of local law enforcement officials.

 

 

May 11, 2006

FATAL VISION CLASS

Sgt. James Partain with 4-Her Austin Dunn

Sgt James Partain with 4-Her Brooke Justice

 

Members of the Tift County Sheriff’s Office presented a “Fatal Vision” class to 25 driving age 4-H Club members at the Tift County Extension Office this week.  The teenagers wore a special pair of goggles, “Fatal Vision”, that simulate impairment caused by alcohol or other drugs.  These youngsters then attempted to drive a golf cart through an obstacle course of orange cones.  The goggles cause the wearer to lose their equilibrium with some of the 4-Hers knocking over as few as 4 cones or as many as 30.       

While these kids enjoyed the class they quickly realized that driving impaired is an option that they should not choose.  If you have a civic or youth group that would like to take part in the “Fatal Vision” class please contact the Tift County Sheriff’s Office.  There is no charge for the class. 

 

 

May 09, 2006

BACK HOME AGAIN

Sheriff Vowell (far right) welcomes home the troops

 

 

 

Shavonda Bivins, Mike Purvis & Jamie Cribb

 

 

The Tift County Sheriff’s Office was proud to welcome Deputy Mike Purvis back home after a year with the 48th National Guard Brigade which served in Iraq.  Deputy Purvis will resume his law enforcement career next week and his fellow deputies eagerly await his return.  

Thanks to everyone who came out that day to welcome home these troops and for your well wishes and prayers.  All three of the Sheriff’s Office employees who were called to active duty are back in the states. Two have been discharged, Purvis and Shavonda Bivins, while Detention Officer Jamie Cribb remains on active duty.

 

 

April 25, 2006

WE'RE INVOLVED IN TIFT COUNTY

Deputy Sgt. Newell and Darien the D.A.R.E. Lion with Mrs. Gonzalez's class at G.O. Bailey.

Sgt. Joey Woods and Mindy Linton with the Ga. Traffic Institute Injury Prevention Institute

Sgt. Ray Merritt with a student at G.O. Bailey.

Tift County 4-Hers at the Agrirama

 

Tift County Deputies have been busy working with youngsters throughout the community.  Officers took part in a Transportation Expo at the G.O. Bailey Primary School, a Health Fair at the Eighth Street Middle School as well as Kids Day at the Georgia Agrirama which was part of city government week.

The Deputies were busy teaching the importance of wearing seat belts, using child safety seats along with booster seats as well as the importance of “Just Say No” to drugs.

 

 

April 05, 2006

DEPUTY OF THE YEAR

Sheriff Gary Vowell, Deputy Mark Lyles & Captain Jason Jones

 

Mark Lyles was recently recognized by the Tifton Elk’s Lodge as the Sheriff’s Office Deputy Of The Year. The lodge recently held an award banquet for all first responders in Tift County along with members of the criminal justice system.

Tift County Sheriff Gary Vowell thanked the local Elk’s Lodge for their commitment to this community and to law enforcement.

All of the award winners: (Front row left to right)  Johnny Sumner ABAC Police Dept., Drew Chestnutt Probation, Christine Day E-911, Brandi Craven Animal Control, Doug Jones, Magistrate Judge, Mark Vanbrackle Child Support.  (Back row left to rightf) Gary McCorvey Superior Court Judge, David Sellars Georgia State Patrol, Brandon Gletcher EMS, Lt. Steve Hyman Tifton Police Dept., Tommy Garren Tifton/Tift County Fire Dept., Mark Lyles Tift County Sheriff's Office& Ricky Gibbs Motor Carrier Compliance Division

 

 

April 05, 2006

SAVED BY THE BELT

Sheriff Gary Vowell, Joanna Michelle Waller and Sgt. James Partain

 

 

Joanna Michelle Waller was involved in a terrible four vehicle accident earlier this year.  While she was injured and is undergoing medical treatment, she survived because she was wearing her seat belt.  Sheriff Gary Vowell along with Sgt. James Partain, head of the Traffic/Safety Education Unit, presented her with a “Saved By The Belt” car tag along with a certificate. 

 Congratulations! The Tift County Sheriff’s Office, Gary Vowell Sheriff, commends you for your lifesaving choice and for the strong example you provide to others on the importance of buckling up. You are living proof that safety belts save lives!

 

This is the car that Waller was driving.

 

April 05, 2006

CITIZENSHIP AWARD

 

Tift County Sheriff Gary Vowell recently presented Clytee Chambliss with a Citizenship Award for her help that resulted in the arrest and conviction of two people.  Mrs. Chambliss is a long time Tift County resident and we appreciate her support of not only the Sheriff’s Office but also her community.

 

 

March 09, 2006

UNDERCOVER NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION

Cocaine, Marijuana, Ecstasy and a handgun recovered during the raid.

 

Yesterday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announces the culmination of a 5-month joint undercover narcotics investigation in Tift County, Georgia. The success of  the operation was the result of the cooperative effort of the Tift County Sheriffs Office, GBI Sylvester Field Office, GBI State Drug Task Force, Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Mid-South Drug Task Force and the Georgia State Patrol.  31 arrests have been made with more expected.

In September 2005, the GBI State Drug Task Force initiated an extensive undercover operation at the request of Tift County Sheriff Gary Vowell targeting narcotics distribution in the Tift County area. As a result of this investigation, 65 individuals are being sought for various violations of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act. Charges range from sale of marijuana, cocaine and trafficking in cocaine and sale of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Ninety Seven arrest warrants have been issued in connection with today's operation and two search warrants have been executed as part of the concluding aspects of undercover operations.

 Several of those arrested yesterday will have their cases referred to the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorney's office in the Middle District of Georgia for review and prosecution.                      

Agencies participating in today's operation include: GBI, Tift County Sheriffs Office, Crisp S.O., Georgia State Patrol, GSP aviation, DEA Macon, Georgia Dept. of Corrections, Tifton Police Dept., Mid-South Drug Task Force and Echols S.O.

 

February 14, 2006

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY IN IRAQ

 

Thanks to the efforts of local citizens and civic clubs children at an Iraqi school received soccer ball, beanie babies, teddy bears and even baseball and softballs.  Tift County Deputy, now U.S. Army Sgt. Mike Purvis, asked that toys be sent to his outfit located somewhere south of Baghdad.  Two hundred beanie babies, one hundred teddy bears, twenty soccer balls and two dozen baseballs and softballs were sent to Sgt. Purvis along with needle valves and hand pumps for the balls.

The Tift County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Tifton Kiwanis Club, Vicki Orr, our local State Farm Agents, Brenda O’Quinn, Craig Sowell and Kristi Purvis for their donations.

 

January 24, 2006

DEPUTY SPEAKS TO KIDS AT ANNIE BELLE CLARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

 

Deputy Mack Doss spoke Tuesday to Mrs. Copeland’s second grade class at the Annie Belle Clark primary school.  After a brief introduction, Deputy Doss answered questions from the inquisitive students for half an hour.  Questions ranged from where does he carry his handcuffs to what does he do each day.  Thanks to the youngsters for making our day!!!

 

January 19, 2006

Officers spot Brown in a wooded area.

Suspect, Fontella Brown

 

Deputies from Tift, Turner and Worth Counties along with State Troopers, K-9 officers and bloodhounds plus a helicopter teamed up Tuesday night and Wednesday to capture a suspect who reportedly stole 4 vehicles, including a school bus, assaulted a woman, kidnapped his 9 year old daughter, carjacked one vehicle, wrecked two cars and broke into an apartment before finally being captured at the Tift/Turner County line. 

The suspect, 40 year old Fontella Brown of Turner County, was arrested around 2pm Wednesday and was taken to the Turner County Jail.  Our thanks to each of the agencies involved in the pursuit

 

 

January 12, 2006

STATE SENATE PRAISES LOCAL OFFICERS

 

The State Senate passed a resolution honoring members of the Tift County Sheriff’s Office and other local departments for their efforts in stopping an armed robbery suspect who led offers on a four county chase in a semi truck in June of last year.  Officers from a half dozen agencies chased the suspect from Waycross to Tifton and used stop sticks and shotgun blasts to flatten the tires on the truck.  The suspect finally lost control of the semi and crashed into the I-75 overpass at Highway 82 and 319.  No one was injured in either the chase or the two armed robberies.

Our thanks to State Senator Joseph Carter who proposed the resolution as well as State Representatives Austin Scott, Jay Roberts and Penny Houston who supported the recognition of the officers at the State Capitol.