Press Releases
SCAM ALERT 🚨 ‼️ 🚔
GCSO has received a number of reports of persons having received telephone calls from scammers threatening citizens with nonexistent warrants and demanding payment.
NO LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVES WARRANTS BY TELEPHONE.
NO LAW ENFORCEMENT COLLECTS ANY KIND OF PAYMENT, BAIL, or BOND BY TELEPHONE.
Just Hang Up.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Local Man Arrested for Drug Trafficking and Weapons Violations after Shooting Reported at Residence
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
On Friday afternoon, October 17, deputy sheriffs were dispatched to a private home on Rock Creek Road regarding a woman who’d suffered a gunshot wound. The wound was non-life threatening. Investigating Sheriff’s detectives subsequently discovered a large amount of illicit methamphetamine as well as over 60 illegally held firearms alongside the drugs on the premises. The woman who’d been shot did not cooperate with the detectives, and remains hospitalized. Marty Worley, age 54, of 269 Rock Creek Road, was arrested at the scene on drug trafficking and weapons violation charges. He remains in jail pending bond. The investigation is active with additional arrests/charges pending.
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Announces:
Last week (Oct 15) Jail Administrator Major Pat Bedford received the prestigious “Dedication to Excellence Award” from the National Institute of Jail Operations at their annual training conference in Mobile, Alabama. Major Bedford was recognized for “going above and beyond normal expectations to ensure the safety and security of staff, inmates, and the general public.” Major Bedford is a 30+ year veteran law enforcement officer who has served under Sheriff Ralston as jail administrator here in Gordon County since 2009.
Deputies were on hand at the VFW Fall Festival on Saturday, October 18 meeting old friends and making new friends.
WANTED PERSON:
Monday, October 20, 2025…
Johnny Lee Burk wanted for Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and other offenses. Anyone with information regarding Burk’s whereabouts is urged to call 911.
Do not approach, call authorities.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Gordon County Man Arrested For Aggravated Child Molestation
October 8, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports :
On September 16, 2025, deputy sheriffs were dispatched to a private residence on Kentucky Drive near Calhoun in response to a report of a domestic disturbance in which a shot was fired. No one was injured, but deputies determined that a child molestation was alleged to have occurred previously.
On September 17, an investigation into the alleged molestation was initiated by Sheriff’s detectives. The investigating officers interviewed the victim, other witnesses, and executed 2 search warrants which authorized the seizure of a number of articles of physical evidence which were collected.
At about 9:30 pm the following day, September 18 , detectives arrested CHRISTOPHER JOEL JACKSON, age 55, of 211 Kentucky Drive in connection with this investigation. Additional evidence was collected from JACKSON’s person upon his arrest. JACKSON was charged with Aggravated Child Molestation and related offenses against a minor child. He is being held in the county jail pending bond.
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.
Quick Links
Most Wanted
View the Most Wanted suspects
Captured:
Your tips have led to the arrest of individuals from the Most Wanted.
State of Georgia Resources
State Patrol
Bureau of Investigation
Department of Corrections
Board of Pardons & Parole