LAW ENFORCEMENT
Sheriffs, law enforcement officers and supporters from across the state gathered in Jones County last week to pay tribute to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep their communities safe.
The Salute to Georgia Sheriff’s took place Oct. 19 at the Walnut Creek Shooting Preserve and recognized Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum as the Georgia Sheriff’s Association Sheriff of the Year.
The keynote speaker for the event was Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
This was the 10th sheriff’s salute with the first taking place in 2013. The event has taken place each year with the exception of 2020, which was due to the pandemic.
Jones County Sheriff Butch Reece hosted the salute and welcomed attendees. He thanked sponsors Sysco Food Services, Brother Stewart, Winn Stewart and Bibb Distributing Company. He also said thank you to members of the Jones County Pilot Club who, along with Linda Reece, contributed the numerous cakes that are one of the highlights of the occasion.
Georgia Sheriff’s Association Executive Director Terry Norris noted that the Sheriff’s Salute was not the suggestion of the GSA. He said it was created by Butch Reece to honor all Georgia sheriff’s, their staffs and officers.
“It’s his hard work and the people in his department who make this happen,” Norris said. “This is one of the premiere events in the state in the support of law enforcement, especially sheriffs.”
The director congratulated Mangum as Sheriff of the Year and then talked about the effect of local politics.
“People talk about what matters, but what makes the biggest difference to us takes place under the gold dome in Atlanta,” he said.
Norris said there is a lot more support for law enforcement than people hear about. He said sheriffs are lumped in with other law enforcement officials but its not understood that they are responsible for a broad scope of work.
“Sheriffs have more responsibility than other elected officials and historically their responsibilities continue to grow,” he said.
State Rep. Dale Washburn had a word for Reece before he opened the meeting with prayer.
“You are right that God called you to this job, and he has blessed you in it,” Washburn said.
Members of the Jones County Sheriffs Office presented the colors, and State Sen. Ricky Williams led the pledge. The national anthem was led by Kate Smith of the Greater Atlanta Christian School.
As Chuck Gibson read the names of fallen officers, “Taps” were played by Maddox Gibson of Jones County High School, followed by Haralson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Edwin Ivey, who played “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes.
Jones, the keynote speaker, was introduced by Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown, who is the GSA president.
The lieutenant governor thanked Reece for the honor of being involved in the salute. He pointed out that the state prides itself in being the law-andorder state.
“Our economic success depends on it,” he said. “In order to thrive, we need to have safe communities.”
He said the Senate passed tough legislation to ‘Back the Blue’ and it is now in the House.
Jones said he was honored to introduce the Sheriff of the Year, Janis Mangum. He said she has been in law enforcement for 30 years.
“She began in 911, then to jailer and worked her way to detective. She has done it all, winning a lot of respect at every stage of the game,” he said.
Jones noted that Mangum is the first female GSA Sheriff of the Year and the second female sheriff in Georgia.
Mangum said she never thought she would be sheriff. She said when her predecessor retired, she was asked if she’d run.
“I said this county would never elect a female sheriff,” Mangum said. “It was a challenge; politics is hard work.”
She said she was blessed to be elected in 2012 and re-elected twice, each time by a wider margin. The sheriff said her parents worked 40 years in the cotton mills.
“Who would think I would be here?” she asked.
