Press Releases
MEDIA RELEASE:
Deputies Attend K9 Training…
May 1, 2025
GCSO personnel attended advanced training in Litchfield, Kentucky last week, focusing on human tracking. The training lasted 5 days and included classroom instruction and field exercises.
Pictured here are Detective/SFC Lindsey Azar with her canine (Bloodhound) partner ‘Maggie’, and also SFC Azar (2nd from left) and Josh McCanless (far right) with other officers in the training class. GCSO maintains two tracking dogs which are used both to track fugitives as well as search/rescue of lost/missing persons.
MEDIA RELEASE
Sunday, April 27, 2025
At about 8:15pm this evening, a deputy attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle on Belwood Road. The car fled and a pursuit ensued. The chase led to the intersection of I-75 and Highway 53. The violator made the reckless decision to drive down the 312 Southbound exit ramp, against the flow of traffic. The deputies did not pursue the car on the ramp. The violator struck another car which was exiting the Interstate. The driver of the car struck by the violator was injured and removed by ambulance. The suspect, whose identity has not been confirmed, was apprehended.
SCAM ALERT:
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Residents have reported being ‘scammed’ out of money by telephone fraudsters posing as court officials. The scheme involves the threat of arrest for missing jury duty.
Jury summonses are sent by US mail or delivered by officers in person.
Law enforcement agencies do not levy or collect fines via telephone.
Never give personal and/or financial information to unknown persons over the telephone.
Just hang up.
Sheriff’s Office Personnel Participate in “Touch of Calhoun” Event…
Monday, April 14,
On Saturday, April 12, deputy sheriffs participated in the “Touch of Calhoun” event hosted by the Calhoun Recreation Department. The family-friendly event featured big trucks and emergency vehicles.
Pictured here are (left-to-right) Corporal Dale Pullen and Canine (‘K9’)
“Jasper”, Deputy Tyler Gregg, Detective Dylan Payne, and Deputy Gabe Shipman.
MEDIA RELEASE…
Man Arrested for Aggravated Assault After Stabbing Woman in Car
Monday, April 7,
Yesterday evening, deputies were dispatched to a private residence in Millstone Subdivision where a woman had walked from Boone Ford Road. The woman had been stabbed and cut a number of times. Deputies responded along with EMS personnel and the woman was removed by ambulance. She told investigating officers she’d been stabbed while riding in a car on Boone Ford Road a short time before. She described her assailant who was located by deputies walking on Boone Ford Road within minutes. He was arrested without incident. Witnesses were questioned and physical evidence was gathered, including the knife believed to have been used in the crime. Detectives have charged Daniel Edward Woody, age 38, of 173 Kinman Road, Calhoun, with Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Knife in the Commission of a Crime. The victim is expected to recover.
MEDIA RELEASE
Sheriff’s Detectives At Calhoun Early Learning Center
Monday, April 7
On Thursday, April 3, Sheriff’s detectives were at CELA to talk about the Sheriff’s Office. The detectives discussed the many roles that the Sheriff’s staff fills in our community.
Pictured here are (left to right): Detective Dylan Payne, Detective/SFC Lindsey Azar and her canine (‘K9’) partner Maggie, and Detective Cody Jones.
MEDIA RELEASE…
Friday, March 4, 2025
Retiring Employee Recognized:
Sheriff Mitch Ralston recognized Sergeant Kevin Rickett, who retired after more than 22 years of service as
a deputy sheriff Friday. Sergeant Rickett, who served in both the Uniform Patrol Division and in the Court Services Division, joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2002. Sheriff Ralston described him as a “valuable and dependable employee”,
that the entire staff will miss.
We wish Sergeant Rickett much happiness in a well deserved retirement.
MEDIA RELEASE…
Monday, March 31
Sheriff Recognizes Deputies for Work in Apprehending Murder Suspect
On Friday, March 28, Sheriff Mitch Ralston recognized five of his deputies for their work in apprehending Christopher L. Dixon, on February 5th.
Dixon was wanted for Murder and Arson after authorities found a man’s body in a burned house near Resaca on February 4th. Each deputy received a ‘Meritorious Service’ medal. Their citation read in part that their “actions demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness, and bravery”.
Photo (front, left to right): Lieutenant Chad Phillips, Detective/Lieutenant J.L. Johnston, and Sheriff Mitch Ralston; (rear, left to right): Deputy Gabriel Shipman, Captain Ben Worley, and Deputy Loren Hiles.
MEDIA RELEASE:
Sheriff’s Office, State Patrol, and Coroner Investigating Death…
Sunday, March 30, 2025
At approximately 8:27am this morning, a truck driver reported finding a body near an empty mini-van on the Interstate 75 Northbound 320 entrance ramp. Deputy sheriffs, along with Fire-Rescue personnel, arrived within minutes.
Deputies summoned the Coroner and State Troopers to the scene as well. The victim, who was determined to not be a local resident, exhibited evidence of having been run over by an automobile. A minivan, later confirmed by a family member to have been in the victim’s possession, was found a short distance away, in gear and with the motor still running, lodged against the guardrail.
As of this time, investigating officers have found no evidence of foul play or that any other person was involved.
The investigation is being led by the Georgia State Patrol, and Sheriff’s detectives are assisting Troopers and the Coroner with this case.
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, March 26…
On Monday, March 24, deputies and their canine (‘K9’) partners visited the residents of Morning Pointe in Calhoun.
The dogs, ‘Maggie’ a Bloodhound, and ‘Jasper’ a German Shorthair Pointer,
are specially trained to track missing/lost people. ‘Maggie’ (right) is shown with her handler/partner SFC Lindsey Azar and ‘Jasper’ (left) with his handler/partner Corporal Dale Pullen.
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