News

Need some minor fix up, cleanup projects done around your home?

The Smithville Church of Christ Work Camp may be able to help. This event is set for June 9-12. The work camp is an annual home rehabilitation and beautification effort organized by the Smithville Church of Christ. The church started the work camp 13 years ago as a means of helping less fortunate residents of the county.

“The week of June 9-12 is when we will have the work camp. We are doing this on behalf of the church. We are trying to show Christ’s love through this while promoting the Smithville Church of Christ, but you don’t have to be a member of the church for us to help you,” said spokesperson Casey Midgett.

“All the application forms are out at the local banks. You can stop by any bank and pick up a form or you can go by our church location and get a form. Just get the forms back in before June 1,” said Midgett.

During the week of the work camp, members of the church load up on church vans and head to the homes of residents to perform a variety of tasks.

The work camp is primarily for those who own their homes and are in most need of help.

“Its based-on need but even If you have the means to do it and can’t because you’re too feeble we can help. The skilled crew will build handicapped ramps and help make light repairs to people’s houses that need it. The unskilled crew will go out and cut brush out of people’s yards, clean their gutters, pressure wash their houses and things like that,” said Midgett.

The Smithville Work Camp concentrates its efforts in the Smithville-DeKalb County area. If you would like to have your home considered for the project, contact the church at 615-597-4159 by the end of the month to acquire an application and release form. The church is located at 520 Dry Creek Road, Smithville.

The DeKalb County Schools Art Exhibit will be Saturday, May 24 featuring works of local art students. The annual event, sponsored by the Smithville Study Club, will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the DeKalb County Complex at 712 South Congress Boulevard. The public is invited to attend. For more information contact Art Chair Susan Hinton at 615-597-9300 or Smithville Study Club President Elaine McGuffey.

Donny Green, DeKalb-Cannon County FSA County Executive Director, announces that the nomination period for the 2025 Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee Election is underway. The nomination period continues through August 1, 2025.

“I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the August 1 deadline,” said Green. “We are counting on as much participation as possible, because county committees are an important link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have seen a trend in recent years of increased nominations of minority, beginning farmers, and women producers and we hope that will continue.”

Committees apply their judgment and knowledge to make decisions on county commodity price-support loan eligibility, establishment of allotments and yields, conservation programs, disaster programs, employment and other farm program-related issues. Nationwide, there are more than 7,700 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to 11 members who are elected by eligible local producers. Members serve three-year terms.

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.

Nominees must reside in Local Administrative Area (LAA) for which they are seeking to be elected. For the 2025 Election, the DeKalb-Cannon FSA County Committee Election will conduct the election in LAA # 3 (DeKalb County).

Below is the description of the LAA that will be conducting election this year:

Local Administrative Area # 3, the portions of DeKalb County described as following:

East of Hwy. 56 South beginning at the DeKalb/Warren county line, following Hwy. 56 in a northern direction to the intersection of Highway 56 and Highway 70; south of Highway 70 East to Center Hill Lake; following Center Hill Lake north and northwest to the Caney Fork River thence to the Smith County line; south of the Smith County line and west of the Putnam County line to the White County line; west of the White County line to the Warren County line; north of the Warren County line following the county line back to Highway 56 South at the DeKalb/Warren County line.

Individuals may nominate themselves, or others, as a candidate. In addition, eligible candidates can be nominated by community-based and other organizations in the county where the election is being held before the close of the nomination period, especially groups representing socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. Nominations and elections are open to all eligible candidates and voters without regard to race, color, religion, nation origin, age, sex, marital status or disability. The nomination form (FSA-669A) and other important election materials are available at USDA Service Centers and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/newsroom/county-committee-elections/index.

Ballots will be mailed to all eligible voters in LAA # 3 on November 3, 2025. Completed ballots must be returned, either in person or postmarked, no later December 1, 2025. For more information about FSA county committees, visit the DeKalb/Cannon County USDA Service Center or call 615-597-8225, extension 2.

DeKalb County’s own, State Representative Michael Hale will provide a Legislative Update to the DeKalb County Republican Party on Saturday, May 31st at 10AM at Smithville City Hall. Rep. Hale will provide highlights of this past Legislative Session and discuss issues that may arise in 2026. Donuts and drinks will be available. All DeKalb County Republicans are invited to attend.

“The Tennessee State Legislature passed some very important laws this year and we appreciate Rep. Hale coming to speak with us,” said Ryan Mollinet, Chairman of the DeKalb County Republican Party. “We look forward to hearing from him, and other elected officials as we work towards the 2026 Elections. Filing deadlines, primaries, and general elections for 2026 will be here before we know it.”

Michael Hale was first elected as Tennessee State Representative for District 40 in November 2022. Michael is a proud DeKalb County High School graduate and a lifelong resident of the 40th District, where he and his wife Tara, own and operate DeKalb Funeral Chapel, and attend New Life UPC. They are the proud parents of Kayla (Chad), Jaley (Trevor), and Maddux, and have been blessed with five grandchildren.

The DCHS Tigerettes battled the defending Class 3A state softball champions into the 10th inning before losing 1-0 to the Gibbs Lady Eagles Friday in the state tournament at MTSU in Murfreesboro.

Game Stats

For Gibbs (41-3), it was their 12th state championship in 38 tournament appearances. It was the 9th appearance since 1992 for the Tigerettes in a state softball tournament and their first championship game in program history.

Gibbs scored 1 run on 7 hits and made 1 error. The Tigerettes were held scoreless on 4 hits and made 1 error.

Tigerette pitcher Kora Kilgore struck out 8 and walked 2.

Lacey Keck, the winning pitcher for Gibbs pitched a 4-hit shutout and struck out 5.

For the Tigerettes, Kora Kilgore, Zayleigh Bain, Brooke Fuson, and Sophie Adcock singled.

DeKalb County (26-6-1) completed the year as regular season and district tournament champions. They also won the region tournament, sectionals round, and went 3-1 and finished as runner-up in the state Class 3A tournament.

For the second year in a row 6th grade student Karson Mullinax was the recipient of the top reading award at DeKalb West School. DWS School Librarian Amanda Mullinax, who is also his mom, presented Karson with the Amanda Mullinax Librarian Award for earning the most Accelerated Reader points since starting at DeKalb West. He has earned 2,364.5 points in his school career, securing him a prestigious spot on the plaque in the school library.

“Since last year when he accomplished his goal of having his name on the plaque, I am so extremely proud that he has continued to pursue his love of reading!” Amanda Mullinax said.

Karson also earned the Mrs. Sabrina Farler Principal Award for earning the most AR points this year with 458.1 points.

“Karson is the absolutely best student,” 6th grade teacher Melissa Sliger said. “He is a super hard worker and is always so kind. As far as reading goes he is always the first to finish his work and always picks up his book to read. By doing this I believe he is able to drown out everything around him because he is so into his book. I have never seen him without a book. He always has one with him. In March he started reading the series Warriors and he says he is loving it. Overall, I would keep Karson forever if possible. He is quiet, respectful, and truly enjoys reading “.

Karson is a brilliant student who shies away from the spotlight. But his past teachers have had no trouble bragging on the kind-hearted, studious young man.

“Karson was one of those students that was constantly reading in class,” says Karson’s 4th grade teacher and now Assistant Principal Cindy Snow. “As soon as he got finished with his work, he was reading a book. Free time…reading a book. During math class…reading a book. He would read any chance he would get. It seemed that reading was his “escape”, and he could totally zone everything else out while reading.”

“Karson is one of very few students in my many years of teaching that I have watched firsthand find the joy in reading,” 5th grade ELA teacher Rachel Desimone said. “He will complete his schoolwork and then back into the book he goes! The AR point system encourages some students as they watch their rocket soar to new heights, but I think Karson would stick with reading even if it weren’t for that. This says a lot about him and his love for reading.”

He has always loved books!” his mom said. “We all read to him when he was younger, which I believe showed him the importance. Here’s a funny: It wasn’t long after he learned to read himself that he made it very clear that he didn’t want me to read aloud to him anymore. He said, “You read too slow!” Which, in comparison to him now, is true; he is a much faster reader than I am!”

His teachers see that Karson’s passion for reading is reflected in his academics. This school year Karson earned “Leader of the Pack” awards in every subject area, straight A’s and is an active member of the Junior Beta Club.

“Due to the fact that he is such an avid reader, he has always had a more expanded vocabulary than most students,” says Snow. “He is quick to understand and create puns and figurative language, and we enjoy (outside of school) using quite a bit of sarcasm and joking with each other,” she adds with a laugh. “Also, his writing shows evidence of the fact that he loves to read. He is imaginative, humorous, and detailed in various forms of writing.”

Kaylee Womack dominated the Academic Awards at the DeKalb West School 8th Grade Recognition. Womack was honored with the ELA, Math, History, and Science awards from Dwayne Blair’s homeroom. From Mrs. Bratten’s homeroom, Gabriel Blair picked up the Math and History awards while Halia McDaniel received the ELA award and Dakota Ferrell was handed the Science award.

Named to the Principal’s List (All A’s) for the year were Gabriel Blair, Grant Brown, Mia Hall, Kaden Mullinax, Caroline Neal, and Kaylee Womack. Named to the A & B Honor Roll for the entire year were Jaretzy Aguilar, Adam Brown, Cryslan Cecil, Dakota Ferrell, Katelynn Fry, Bella Gonzalez, Yesica Gonzales, Makenna Lomas, Halia McDaniel, and Kylie Pierce.

The Making Tracks (Most Improved) Award were awarded to Josh Floyd and Javan Hefflin. Four students were awarded with the Citizenship Awards: Gabriel Blair, Halia McDaniel, Levi Cripps, and Caroline Neal. The 4 PAWS Awards went to Kaden Mullinax and Cryslan Cripps. Mullinax and Adam Brown were highlighted for Perfect Attendance.

The following five students were acknowledged for earning the highest grade point averages in middle school (6th-8th grades): Gabriel Blair ranked one with a 3.732 GPA, Kaylee Womack ranked 2nd with a 3.682 GPA, Kaden Mullinax ranked third with a 3.645 GPA, Mia Hall ranked fourth with a 3.643 GPA, and Halia McDaniel was fifth with a 3.580 GPA.

These students were recognized by their activity teachers: Jonah Maynard and Caleb Dickerson for Guidance, Logan Winfree and Malachi Gaither for Library, Savana Muncey and Javan Hefflin for Music, Gabriel Blair for STREAM, Halia McDaniel and Logan Winfree for Computer.

P.E. Teacher Kelly Pyburn recognized several students for their sports activities with different teams. Jacob Johnson and Slade Bennett, who are members of the high school fishing team, will be in the state championship. Dayton Heflin, who fishes in the TBF Tournament series, has won with his teammate 1st at Norris Lake, Melton Hill Lake, 2nd at Dale Hollow Lake, and 3rd at Nickajack Lake. Kaylee Womack was the leading scorer for the Lady Bulldogs this past season, was also named to the All-tournament team at Forks River Tournament. Gabriel Blair achieved his black belt in Taekwondo and is now able to teach students. He also has won multiple medals at three different tournaments this year. Caroline Neal was on the DMS Saints softball team that finished 3rd in the district, and she was named to the All-Tournament team. Kaden Mullinax, a member of the Cross Country team, also placed 4th in his age group at his first-ever half marathon. Levi Cripps helped lead the football team to a regular season and conference championship. He was named All-Conference. In basketball, Levi was the leading scorer and was named to the All-Tournament team at the Forks River Tournament. Maddux Pyburn also made the All-Tournament team at Forks River. As a member of the DWS baseball team, Maddux helped lead them to regular season and district tournament championships. The Bulldogs continued to make their way into the finals of the sectionals.

Librarian Amanda Mullinax presented the following Accelerated Reader awards: Halia McDaniel and Jaretzy Aguilar-Castellanos with a $5 gift certificate for earning 400 points; Bella Gonzalez, Kate Pistole, Makenna Lomas with an AR pin for 500 points; Halia McDaniel, Caroline Neal, and Kate Pistole with a bowling trip for being the Top Readers in 8th grade. Awesome Accuracy for scoring a 95% or higher on AR tests went to Halia McDaniel, Kenzie South, and Dakota Ferrell. Kaden Mullinax was presented with the 1,000 + points certificate. He earned a total of 1,703.9 points.

Mullinax also earned the most Jr. Beta service points with 108 hours. Other 8th grade Junior Betas recognized for service include Gabriel Blair with 73 hours, Bella Gonzalez- 10.5 hours, Mia Hall- 21.25, Caroline Neal- 15.75 hours, Kate Pistole- 42.75 hours, and Kaylee Womack- 38 hours.

Here are the members of the 2025 DWS 8th Grade Class: Jaretzy Aguilar, Slade Bennett, Gabriel Blair, Adam Brown, Grant Brown, Cryslan Cecil, Kayla Checchi, Adonis Cooprider, Levi Cripps, Caleb Dickerson, Jacob Dies, Dakota Ferrell, Joshua Floyd, Katelyn Fry, Malachi Gaither, Bella Gonzalez, Yesica Gonzalez, Spencer Gregory, Jada Hale, Mia Hall, Marilda Hatfield, Dayton Heflin, Javan Hefflin, Jacob Johnson, Makenna Lomas, Jonah Maynard, Halia McDaniel, Ezzy Moore, Kaden Mullinax, Savana Muncey, Jaython Myers, Caroline Neal, Jake Nokes, Allie Pedigo, Kylie Pierce, Kate Pistole, Maddux Pyburn, Aydin Reed, Isaac Scott, Kenzie South, Miley Tays, Harley Willingham, Logan Winfree, and Kaylee Womack.

The DCHS Tigerettes have never won a state softball tournament championship but today they are closer than ever to reaching that goal.

In a thriller Thursday that had Tigerette fans on the edge of their seats, DC defeated McNairy Central 8 to 7 in the Spring Fling at Murfreesboro.

(View Class 3A state softball tournament bracket at link below)

Bracket

The Tigerettes (26-5-1) and undefeated in the TSSAA Class 3A tournament this week at 3-0, will face Gibbs (40-3) Friday, May 23 at 10 a.m. at MTSU in the state title game. WJLE will have LIVE coverage on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and on the LIVE audio stream at www.wjle.com.

Game Stats

In the game Thursday, DeKalb County scored 8 runs on 11 hits with 3 errors while McNairy Central scored 7 runs on 12 hits and 3 errors

Kora Kilgore gave up 7 runs on 12 hits. She struck out 6 and walked 4. The pitcher for McNairy Central, Chanley Steele gave up 8 runs on 11 hits. She struck out 4 and walked 2. Bailee Shelton came in for the 7th inning and struck out 2.

DC scored 2 runs in the top of the 1st inning but watched McNairy Central score 6 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The Tigerettes answered with 6 runs of their own in the top of the 5th inning. McNairy Central got a solo homerun from Bailee Shelton in the bottom of the 6th but DeKalb County held them off in the 7th securing an 8 to 7 victory.

On Wednesday, DeKalb County opened the state tournament with a 4-2 win in 8 innings over McNairy Central and followed that with a 1-0 shutout of Unicoi County.

McNairy Central eliminated Unicoi County 3-0 in the loser’s bracket Thursday morning earning the right to face the Tigerettes in a rematch.

The opening day of the TSSAA Class 3A softball tournament Wednesday could not have been better for the DCHS Tigerettes as they defeated both McNairy Central 4-2 in 8 innings and Unicoi County 1-0 to advance in the winner’s bracket of this double elimination competition.

(View Class 3A state softball tournament bracket at link below)

Bracket

The spring fling run continues for the Tigerettes today (Thursday) as DC will face either McNairy Central or Unicoi County again at 11 a.m. at McKnight Field #1 in Murfreesboro. WJLE will have LIVE coverage on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and on the LIVE audio stream at www.wjle.com.

McNairy Central and Unicoi County will face off in the loser’s bracket today (Thursday) at 9 a.m. at McKnight Field #1 for the right to have a rematch with DeKalb County.

Tigerette Pitcher Kora Kilgore was nothing less than spectacular in both games recording 19 strikeouts through 8 innings with 3 hits allowed and 2 runs against McNairy Central and 17 strikeouts, one hit, and no runs given up against Unicoi County.

In the first game Wednesday, a 2-run walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 8th inning by Hannah Brown propelled the Tigerettes to a 4 to 2 win over McNairy Central in the first round of the tournament.

Bailee Shelton, the pitcher for McNairy Central who has committed to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville struck out 13 and gave up 9 hits.

DC scored 2 runs in the 1st inning and did not score again until the game winning homerun in the 8th inning. McNairy Central scored 1 run in both the 5th and 6th innings.

For the Tigerettes, Riley Wilbur had a double and scored a run; Zayleigh Bain singled, Bryna Pelham had 2 singles and an RBI and scored a run, Kora Kilgore had 2 singles and an RBI, Maggie Hendrixson singled, Brooke Fuson singled and scored a run, and Hannah Brown had a 2-run homerun and 2 RBI.

In the 1-0 win over Unicoi County Wednesday afternoon in the tournament, Zaleigh Bain for the Tigerettes had a single, a double, and scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the 4th inning. Bryna Pelham, Kora Kilgore, Tatum Young and Sophie Adcock each singled.

The Tigerettes improve to 25-5-1 on the season.

(WJLE Programming note: Because of today’s game, WJLE’s midday programming will be rescheduled by two hours. The noon news, normally at 12 will air at 10 a.m. starting with Fox News, Local News and State News. Cross Connection with David Revelle of the Upper Helton Baptist Church, normally at 11:55 a.m., will air today (Thursday) at 9:55 a.m.)

After 20 years, DeKalb County will have a new sheriff come September 1, 2026.

Sheriff Patrick Ray, a Republican, announced today (Thursday, May 22) that he will not seek re-election to an unprecedented sixth term next year.

Ray, who was first elected sheriff in 2006, has served longer in the office than any other person. He will be completing his fifth and final term as of August 31, 2026. By that date, his total law enforcement career will have spanned 37 years.

He chose to make the announcement today (Thursday) because May 22 has a special significance for him. “Today is my law enforcement anniversary date. I started my career at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department on May 22, 1989 with Sheriff Kenneth Pack, “he said.

Prior to becoming sheriff, Ray held many other law enforcement related positions both in DeKalb and Warren County.

“I served as a Lake site Patrolman, Dispatcher, Deputy, Detective and the last four years as Chief Deputy (under Sheriff Pack). I worked 13 years and 3 months with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department leaving on August 31st 2002. On November 12, 2002, I went to work at the Warren County Sheriff’s Department as a Criminal Investigator for Sheriff Jackie Matheny Sr. I worked for Warren County for 3 years and 9 months leaving on August 31, 2006 after I was elected Sheriff,” said Ray.

When asked why not try for another term, Sheriff Ray said he felt it was time to leave.

“When I made a decision in 2004 to run for Sheriff in the 2006 election cycle. I never prayed to win. I prayed that the Lord’s will be done. Every election cycle after that, I have prayed that same prayer, but adding, that the Lord would let me know when it was time for me to leave office. Now, I know it is time for me to leave office at the end of this term. The Lord has given me peace with this decision,” he said.

During his tenure, Sheriff Ray said he has worked to battle the war on drugs and other crimes to make the county safer for its citizens; to improve public relations; to maintain a department that is trustworthy, professional, keeping up to date on technology and services, and to better the pay and benefits for his employees, all while being fiscally responsible and without neglecting his church and home life.

“Law Enforcement has been my life career. I have truly enjoyed all of my career. I have made many new friends along the way. I want to thank all the citizens of DeKalb County for allowing me to live my dream. It has had many ups and downs, but at the end of the day, it has made me a stronger person,” he said.

In addition to thanking his supporters and residents of the county for the privilege of serving them, Sheriff Ray also expressed appreciation to his family for their love, support, and sacrifices to allow him to do this job as well as “The Lord for all His many blessings”.

With a new sheriff coming in next year, Sheriff Ray pledges his cooperation for a smooth transition.

“Whoever wins the Sheriff’s race, I want him to come into the office as soon as he can. There is so much information about running a jail he needs to know before he takes office. I want to assist in any way possible. I also want the sheriff-elect to have a part in making a decision on what the budget will be next year. The budget will probably pass under my administration but I will only have 2 months use of it. I want to make sure the sheriff-elect has whatever he needs to run the Sheriff’s Department and Jail. I look forward to working with him on my way out. I want a smooth and orderly transition,” said Sheriff Ray.

As he leaves office next year, some may ask what’s next for Patrick Ray?

“I have been asked what I am going to do when I leave office. This is all I have to say. The Lord has a plan for me. My faith is strong in Him. I faithfully believe he will guide me in the direction that I need to go”.

The following is Sheriff Patrick Ray’s entire prepared announcement:

“I’m not going to seek a 6th term for the Office of Sheriff. I made a decision in 2004 to run for Sheriff in the 2006 election cycle. I never prayed to win. I prayed that the Lord’s will be done. Every election cycle after that, I have prayed that same prayer, but adding, that the Lord would let me know when it was time for me to leave office. Now, I now know it is time for me to leave office at the end of this term. The Lord has given me peace with this decision.

I am the son of Patsy Ray and the late Roy Ray.

My wife’s name is Dessa and we have one son PJ (Patrick Ray Jr.)

We attend New Union The Baptist Church where I have attended my whole life. I have been a member there for 43 years and where I also serve as a Deacon.

Today is my law enforcement anniversary date. I started my career at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department on May 22, 1989 with Sheriff Kenneth Pack.

I served as a Lake site Patrolman, Dispatcher, Deputy, Detective and the last four years as Chief Deputy. I worked 13 years and 3 months with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department leaving on August 31st 2002.

On November 12, 2002, I went to work at the Warren County Sheriff’s Department as a Criminal Investigator for Sheriff Jackie Matheny Sr. I worked for Warren County for 3 years and 9 months leaving on August 31, 2006 after I was elected Sheriff.

I was elected Sheriff in 2006. At the end of this term, August 31, 2026, I will have served as Sheriff for 20 years.

My total law enforcement time will be 37 years at the end of this term.

Law Enforcement has been my life career. I have truly enjoyed all of my career. I have made many new friends along the way.

I am the 50th elected Sheriff in DeKalb County. I have been blessed to serve longer than any Sheriff before me. I have been told; I am the only Republican Sheriff who ran for re-election who did not have a democrat challenger. That happened in the 2010 election cycle. I have been truly blessed to be able to serve the citizens of DeKalb County.

When I was first elected, I made myself a few promises.

* One, that this job would not destroy my marriage. This year Dessa and I will be happily married for 29 years.

*Two I wanted to leave the Sheriff’s Office with good standing in the County.

*Three, that I would fight for my employees for pay raises and benefits. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Jail has always been behind the eight ball on pay and benefits for its employees. These men and women put their lives on the line every day to protect you and your families. They all deserve a comfortable pay for the great job they do. I have worked with the county commission for 18 years this far, and 3 County Mayors, Mayor Mike Foster, Mayor Tim Stribling and now Mayor Matt Adcock. They have been great to work with. With their help, I have brought the pay scale up from where it was. We are not where we should be yet, but we are a lot closer.

I also made a few promises to the Citizens of the county when I ran for office.

I have tried to be a leader for my department and not a dictator. I have tried to show leadership through example, while on duty and also in my personal life.

*To have a professional Sheriff’s Department that Citizens could be proud of,

*to work hard on drugs and other crimes,

*and that my department and I be trustworthy and courteous just to name a few. I hope my department and I have done that for the citizens of the county.

I have tried my best to be available to the public. Either in the office, on the phone, and social media.

I have financially worked within my budget for the Sheriff’s Department, Jail, and Drug Fund over my tenure.

I have tried to improve the Sheriff’s Department and Jail with updated technology and equipment.

All the patrol vehicles now have computers with internet in them. The Deputies can communicate with dispatch through their computer. They also can run their own tags, driver’s license and do their incident and accident reports from their patrol vehicle. A lot of these have been paid by grants.

When I took office in 2006, we had one School Resource Officer or SRO in the High School. With the help of the county commission and school board, I was able to put 5 more school resource officers in our schools over the years. Today DeKalb West School, Smithville Elementary, Northside Elementary and DeKalb Middle School has one School Resource Officer assigned to their School Campus and DeKalb County High School has two School Resource Officers assigned to the campus there.

I have tried to be actively involved in many of the county events that has taken place throughout our county.

I have just recently opened the first ever DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department shooting range where our county officers have a place to qualify with their weapons and where the Sheriff’s Department and Jail staff can do their training. All of the repairs and updates were done through grants or donated items. I used inmate labor to do almost all of the labor to the building and gun range.

I want to thank all the citizens of DeKalb County for allowing me to live my dream. It has had many ups and downs, but at the end of the day, it has made me a stronger person.

I want to thank all of my past and present employees. I have not done this job alone. Our Sheriff’s Department and Jail employees have made DeKalb County a safer and better place to live, worship, and raise a family in. I know without all of you and your dedicated service to DeKalb County; DeKalb County would not be what it is today. Thank you so much for your service to our County.

To my extended family, close friends, and loyal supporters, thank you for always being behind me and helping me along the way. I cannot say thank you enough for all of your support over the years.

To my wife Dessa and son PJ, you have made so many sacrifices for my career. There have been many times I have had to be away from you doing something with the Sheriff’s Department or Jail. I can think of one time when PJ was young, we drove to Florida for our first vacation since I was elected. We drove for 10 hours to only spend the night and turn around to come back home the next morning because of a Jail Escape. Needless to say, they were not happy with this decision, but this is just one example of many, of their support for me and my career. Thank you so much for allowing me to do a job I truly love. I am so blessed to have a wife and son as understanding as you two have been. You two are my rock and I love you so much.

But above all, I want to think the Lord for all his many blessings. He has blessed me so much. He has walked beside of me through a lot of tragic events within my career. I have prayed many prayers to Him for the victims of crimes, for the families it has affected, the accused and also myself. I know a lot of people have prayed for me and my department also and I appreciate it so much. It has definitely made me a better Christian and public servant.

Whoever wins the Sheriff’s race next year, I want them to come into the office as soon as they can. There is so much information about running a jail they need to know before they take office. The jail is the biggest task for a Sheriff, especially a new one. The jail is the biggest risk for lawsuits. With a new jail coming, there are going to be huge challenges for the sheriff-elect and his administration. I want to assist in any way possible.

I also want the sheriff-elect to have a part in making a decision on what the budget will be next year. The budget will probably pass under my administration and I will have 2 months use of it. I want to make sure the sheriff-elect has whatever they need to run the Sheriff’s Department and Jail. I look forward to working with them on my way out. I want a smooth and orderly transition.

Some people have asked what I am going to do when I leave office. This is all I have to say. The Lord has a plan for me. My faith is strong in Him. I faithfully believe he will guide me in the direction that I need to go”.