Press Releases
Gordon County Sheriff’s personnel were on hand at the Public Safety event at Home Depot in Calhoun Saturday morning (October 4).
Met a lot of great people and made a lot of new friends.
We Serve The Finest People In Georgia!
Photos from Tolbert Elementary School's post
Sheriff’s Senior Staff Complete Advanced Training , Praised by Grand Jury…
Tuesday, October 1, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
Sheriff’s Lieutenant John Vick and Sergeant First Class Eric Bergen recently completed advanced training at the National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) in Midway, Utah. The supervisory officers attended NIJO’s Elite Academy training course from September 22-26 along with officers from across America. The training concentrated on jail administration and management, and is only offered to select attendees on a limited basis. Lieutenant Vick has served in the Sheriff’s Office since 2009, and SFC Bergen since 2017.
They are pictured here with the other Georgia attendees at NIJO (SFC Bergen and LT Vick are 3rd and 4th from left) and also with Sheriff Ralston (left to right: SFC Bergen, LT Vick, and Sheriff Ralston).
After the annual, statutory inspection of the jail, the June, 2025 Term of the Gordon County Grand Jury reported: “ The jail and staff were very well organized. The staff is very efficient and takes great pride in their duties. The technology and security systems were impressive and state of the art. Staff showed great compassion for their charges. Thank you for the great job you do.”
Sheriff Ralston said, “I am very proud of my jail staff, and I congratulate LT Vick and SFC Bergen for their accomplishment. I am especially pleased and proud to receive an official commendation from the Grand Jury, and glad that our system allows for the grand jurors, who’re ordinary citizens, to observe first hand not only the condition of the county jail, but also the great work of the staff.”
Sheriff Introduces New GCSO Bloodhound:
Monday, September 29, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston is pleased to introduce the Sheriff’s Office’s latest K9 addition, Bloodhound “Max”.
Max is a 12 month old male bloodhound who was rescued from a shelter. He is being trained to track fugitives and lost/missing persons. Max is affable and curious. He received his name from the students at Tolbert Elementary School, who earned 1st place in a naming contest among the elementary schools. Max is shown here with his partner Detective Cody Jones.
September 11, 2001 was the largest single loss of life among police officers in one day in our history. Gordon County Sheriff’s Office honors their memory, and the memory of all Americans who lost their lives on that day.
NEVER FORGET 🇺🇸
GOD BLESS AMERICA.
The GBI held a dedication ceremony in Calhoun to celebrate our new Regional Investigative Office, officially named in honor of former Director Vernon Keenan.
The Vernon M. Keenan Office will serve 12 northwest Georgia counties — the same region where Director Keenan began his career.
It was a special day made even brighter by the many agents from across Georgia, members of law enforcement, and the community who came together to show their support.
GBI Opens New Regional Office Here, Sheriff Attends Dedication Ceremony;
Monday, September 8…
On Friday, September 5th, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) opened the new Region 1 Field Office here in Calhoun. Sheriff Ralston attended the dedication ceremony along with a large number of other guests.
The building was named after retired GBI Director Vernon M. Keenan, who was also the Special Agent in Charge of the regional office here for many years.
Sheriff Ralston said, “ My Office has always enjoyed a close, working relationship with our colleagues in the GBI and we’re pleased that they have this wonderful, new facility.”
Photos:
1. (left to right) GBI Director Chris Hosey, Deputy Director (and Gordon County native) Scott Dutton, Sheriff Mitch Ralston, and Chief Deputy Robert Paris.
2. Former GBI Director Vernon Keenan (left) and Sheriff Mitch Ralston (right).
CAR CRASHES INTO CHURCH
Friday, September 5th, 2025
8:40pm
Deputy sheriffs and other first responders are on scene at Newtown Baptist Church where a passenger car has crashed into the building. The driver hasn’t been located yet.
DEFENDANT IN FATAL CRASH ON AUGUST 23 IDENTIFIED, CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE, NOW IN GORDON COUNTY JAIL…
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
The driver of a car which crashed head on into a Dade County family on the Rome Road after fleeing from law officers on August 23 has been returned to Gordon County from Tennessee. MATTHEW ALLEN PICKENS, age 44, of 324 Cherokee Drive, Calhoun, was taken into custody yesterday by Hamilton County Tennessee Sheriff’s officials after being released from Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.
This morning, PICKENS waived extradition and was transported to the Gordon County Jail where he was booked on charges of Homicide By Vehicle, Serious Injury By Vehicle, Fleeing & Eluding Officers, and a host of other traffic related offenses. The release of his identity was delayed due to his hospitalization in intensive care.
PICKENS has been in the Gordon County Jail on three previous occasions, in 2020, 2022, and 2023, each time for traffic related offenses. The fatal crash on August 23 was investigated by the State Patrol, who filed the charges against PICKENS.
SHERIFF RALSTON RECOGNIZES ACTS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE..
Sunday, August 31, 2025
At the monthly Sheriff’s Auxiliary Luncheon on Friday, August 29, Sheriff Mitch Ralston recognized 3 GCSO staff members and a Bartow County Firefighter for outstanding work.
Bartow County Fire/Rescue Lieutenant Matthew Atkins received a Distinguished Service Cross for the rescue of a trapped motorist at Cedar Creek on August 3rd.
Deputy Owen Towe and Jailor A.R. Kinsey both received Meritorious Service Medals for lifesaving when they successfully rendered medical aid to a choking inmate on August 10th.
Deputy Gavin Phillips received a Commendation Medal for effecting a number of drug trafficking and weapons arrests.
Left Photo(left to right): Sheriff Mitch Ralston, Deputy Gavin Phillips, Chief Deputy Robert Paris.
Right (upper)Photo (left to right) Sheriff Mitch Ralston, Lieutenant Matthew Atkins, Chief Deputy Robert Paris.
Right (lower)Photo (left to right): Sheriff Mitch Ralston, Jailer A.R. Kinsey, Chief Deputy Robert Paris, Deputy Owen Towe.
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