Cherokee Detective Enters Sheriff's Race

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Another public safety official has kicked off his campaign to become Cherokee County’s next sheriff.

Jeff Donley, a detective sergeant in the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday, May 26 held a meet-and-greet event with residents in Towne Lake.

Donley, who has a 31-year career in law enforcement under his belt, said serving the people of Cherokee County for the last three decades “uniquely qualifies him, as he understands the expectations of our citizens when it relates to law enforcement within Cherokee County.”

“The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office is a respected agency with great leadership and the deputies and staff under the command of Sheriff [Roger] Garrison are committed to making our sheriff’s office the best in the state,” he said. “This commitment has taken many years and our achievements speak for themselves. As we move forward into 2017, I feel we can always do better.”

Donley is one of four men who plan to seek the Republican nomination for the office of sheriff. Garrison has stated he will not seek re-election to another term in 2016. Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Frank Reynolds is in the race, as are Fairburn Police Chief Chip McCarthy and David Waters, the man who challenged Garrison in 2012.

• RELATED: Frank Reynolds, Cherokee Sheriff Candidate, Ready to “Come Home”

Donley, 52, is currently assigned to the sheriff’s office’s Financial Crimes Unit, which falls under the Criminal Investigations Division.

He joined the sheriff’s office in 1987 following a three-year stint with the Woodstock Police Department.

“Cherokee County became home and it’s where I wanted to live and start a family,” he said, referencing the reason why he moved to the area. “In my heart, I knew it was where I was meant to serve and it was a great fit for a young officer.”

Donley went on to say public service outside Cherokee County was “never an option,” and once a person gets to know the county’s citizens, ”you feel a sense of commitment and it becomes very difficult to leave.”

“I’m very passionate about my profession and when I can, I enjoy making someone’s day a little brighter,” he added. “Once you dedicate this much time, you feel committed to stay to make Cherokee the best place to work and the safest place to live. Simply put, it’s about servant leadership. It’s never been about me; it’s always been about those we serve and their needs should always come first.”

Donley added he’d like to see sheriff’s deputies “get back in the neighborhoods and reconnect with the community we serve.”

Citing the growing lack of trust among residents of law enforcement officers and departments across the country, Donley stated it’s imperative for deputies and police officers remain diligent when it comes to bonding with people and focusing on building community relationships.

“Making everyday encounters with the people we serve, especially our youth, needs to be positive in order for respect and trust to be built,” he added. “We’re professionals who have a job to do and the people need to get to know the person as well as the professional peace officer. It’s all in good training and training is what we’re good at in Cherokee County.”

Donley, who lives in the Sutallee community, is married to wife Sharon and they have four adult children and seven grandchildren.

To learn more about Donley, visit his website and his Facebook page.

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Fast Facts

Candidate: Jeff Donley
Age: 52
Occupation: detective sergeant in the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office’s Financial Crimes Unit;
Previous experience: served from 1984 to 1987 with the Woodstock Police Department. Before moving to the Financial Crimes Unit, Donley gained experience with forensics, burglary investigations, arson investigations, crisis/hostage negotiations, warrant and civil service and the county’s Adult Detention Center.
Education: attended the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy; studied professional management at Columbus State University
Family: wife Sharon, four adult children, seven grandchildren
Website: www.donley4sheriff.com

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Photo credit: Bruce Clere