Press Releases
NEW C.H.A.M.P.S. Instructor …
July 1, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston announces the assignment of Deputy Erik Ochoa as the newest instructor in the Sheriff’s Office’s C.H.A.M.P.S. (Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety)Program. The program, developed by the Georgia Sheriffs Association, is provided to all of the public elementary schools, focusing on topics such as internet safety, substance abuse, peer pressure, ATV safety, and a host of other subjects. It is taught in over 100 Georgia counties by their respective Sheriff’s Offices.
Pictured here: (left to right) Brent Loeffler, GSA Training Director, ‘Champ’ the mascot, Deputy Ochoa, and Fannin County Sheriff’s Captain Darvin Couch presenting Deputy Ochoa’s instructors certificate.
SHERIFF MOURNS LOSS OF CLIFFORD FREE, Longtime Public Safety Leader and Pastor:
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston joined the community in mourning the passing of Reverend Clifford Free. Reverend Free was popular and well known, and was a leader for many years in the emergency medical services and emergency management services here. Sheriff Ralston said, “I knew Clifford my whole life. He was very active in public safety for decades. He was not only a dedicated public servant, he was a true servant of the Lord. I will miss his cheerfulness, his laughter, and his readiness to serve others whenever he could. He was a fine friend, and the thoughts and prayers of my staff and myself are with his loved ones.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Deputy Commended for Burglary-in-Progress Arrest, Recovery of Stolen Property:
Yesterday (Friday, June 27, 2025) Sheriff Mitch Ralston awarded a Sheriff’s Commendation Medal to Deputy Ben Turner, in recognition of an arrest in the early morning hours on June 24, wherein Deputy Turner apprehended a Plainville woman involved in a number of break-ins at a self storage facility. The facility was located near Plainville, and Turner was patrolling particularly to detect and prevent such crimes. Follow up investigation by our detectives resulted in two additional charges against the defendant in connection with two unrelated residential burglaries. A large amount of stolen property was also recovered. Sheriff Ralston praised Turner’s “alertness and patrol skills”.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
WELL KNOWN S.R.O. Retires:
Yesterday (Friday, June 27) Sheriff Mitch Ralston awarded Sergeant Elbert Shelley the Distinguished Service Cross, and an appreciation plaque, upon his retirement from GCSO. Elbert served from 2009 until now. From 2012 until retirement, he was a School Resource Officer in the County Schools. He was well known, liked, and respected by the school staff, students, and the public.
Elbert had an impeccable service record and he will be missed not only in the schools but by his colleagues. Sheriff Ralston praised Elbert, particularly his dedication to the community in a variety of roles. We wish Elbert all the best in his retirement.
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER TRAINING…
Monday, June 22, 2025
Captain Jack Jenkins recently attended the Georgia School Safety and Homeland Security Conference June 16-18. The training was focused on school resource officers, and topics included “Lessons Learned From September 4th”, “Gang Awareness in Schools”, and “Role of the SRO and Relationships with School Administrations”. Captain Jenkins supervises the Sheriff’s SRO program, a position he has occupied since 2010.
UPDATE …UPDATE…UPDATE :
4:30pm Sunday , June 22, 2025
JEREMY PEEBLES has been located SAFE.
MISSING PERSON:
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Gordon County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) needs the public’s help in locating JEREMY PEEBLES, age 45, 5’10”, 200 lbs, brown hair/hazel eyes, last seen wearing a black hoodie, jeans or khakis, and white athletic shoes. He was reported missing at 1:30pm today. He reportedly left his residence voluntarily, on foot, at about 2am this morning , and was last seen in the vicinity of 1386 US Highway 41 North near Calhoun. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of JEREMY PEEBLES is urged to call GCSO or 911.
MISSING PERSON:
‼️‼️UPDATE‼️‼️
We are pleased to share that Zachary Kelley has been located and is safe. Authorities have confirmed that there is no cause for concern. We deeply appreciate the support, concern, and assistance from the community during this time.
Thank you all for your continued support and understanding.
GCSO needs the public’s help in finding ZACHARY KELLEY.
Zachary was reported missing to us this afternoon (June 20). He was last seen at about 3pm yesterday (June 19) at/near his place of employment on Wellco Drive in Calhoun, walking on the roadway. Zachary was possibly seen walking on Lovers Lane later yesterday evening as well. He is 5’08”, about 145 lbs, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of ZACHARY KELLEY is urged to call the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office or 911.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sheriff Shuts Down Methamphetamine Conversion Lab :
Friday, June 13, 2025
In May, Sheriff’s detectives in the Drug Enforcement Unit initiated an investigation into a report of a methamphetamine trafficking operation on Tara Drive near Calhoun.
Yesterday (June 12) afternoon , Sheriff’s detectives and Probation/Parole officers from the local office of the Department of Community Supervision searched a private residence at 200 Tara Drive as part of this investigation .
The detectives uncovered a large amount of solid crystal methamphetamine , and a very large amount of liquid methamphetamine. They also found the elements of the “laboratory” wherein the liquified methamphetamine is converted to a solid to be trafficked. The detectives also found cocaine, and psilocybin mushrooms, a hallucinogenic substance. They arrested the occupant of the home, one Tracy Van McEntyre, age 62, of Tara Drive. He was charged with Manufacturing and Trafficking Methamphetamine and a host of other drug related offenses. Jail records indicate McEntyre has been arrested over ten times, and has been convicted of drug trafficking at least twice.
ANNOUNCEMENT :
Sheriff Mitch Ralston and his staff offer their most sincere condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the family and other loved ones of Mr. Walter Printup, who sadly passed away on June 5th.
“Walter was an absolutely beloved member of this community, as well as the Sheriff’s Office family. Mr. Printup was very active in the Sheriff’s Auxiliary , and served as a Superior Court Bailiff. He was a longtime public servant, a decorated war hero, a devoted family man, and a sincere Christian who loved the Lord. He was a true friend, and l will miss him very much.”
Sheriff Mitch Ralston
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
4:45pm Saturday, June 7, 2025
Gordon County is expected to be impacted by a storm front this afternoon/evening. It is our understanding from the National Weather Service (NWS) that the main threats are high winds and possibly heavy rains, but that hail and tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Citizens should monitor weather conditions via the National Weather Service and/or commercial media outlets.
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