'Honored to Serve': Frank Reynolds Takes Oath Of Office

CANTON, GA -- A new era of leadership for the Cherokee Sheriff's Office was rolled out Tuesday as hundreds of people gathered at the historic courthouse to watch Sheriff-elect Frank Reynolds take the oath of office.

Numerous sheriff's deputes, local and state elected officials as well as representatives from police and fire departments in Alpharetta, Acworth, Ellijay, Canton, Holly Springs, Roswell, Woodstock and other jurisdictions all packed into the courtroom to witness the 39th sheriff take the oath.

Tuesday's keynote speaker was State Senator Brandon Beach, a Republican from Alpharetta who commended the leadership of outgoing Sheriff Roger Garrison and the men and women in uniform who "keep us safe so we can live, work and play in Cherokee County."

Beach also said Reynolds has spent 22 years preparing for the role of sheriff, adding he's taken hundreds of hours of training and has obtained the education necessary to lead the county.

Garrison has set the bar "very high" for Reynolds, and Beach said he's confident that the incoming sheriff will maintain the level of service, professionalism and leadership Cherokee County citizens have come to expect.

"I'm proud to call you my friend and today, I'm proud to call you my sheriff," he added.

Garrison offered a bit of advice for his successor, noting that it was imperative that Reynolds takes care of the employees of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and his family. Once he has those two things squared away, "the politics will take care of themselves."

Reynolds previously served as captain with the Pickens County Sheriff's Office. Before that, he was a member of the Department of State’s High-Threat Protection Program in Baghdad, Iraq, and the watch commander with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office.

He attended Cherokee High School before graduating from Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville. He obtained associate's and bachelor's degrees from Reinhardt University and a master of public administration in justice administration from Columbus State University. Reynolds also graduated from the Conservative Policy Leadership Institute and from the FBI National Academy’s 244th Session.

He is married to wife, Jennifer, a teacher at Teasley Middle School, and has one son and two daughters.

After taking the oath of office given by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood, Reynolds said he was "truly blessed" to have the opportunity to serve a county where the population is closing in on 230,000.

The sheriff's office, he added, is an agency that reports directly to the citizens, and stated he is "honored to serve in that capacity."

Reynolds went on to say that he will need the prayers and thoughts of the citizens and his supporters as he embarks on his first term.

He also used the time to introduce members of his command staff. Those members will be Capt. John New, Capt. Tommy Pinyan, Capt. Joe Satterfield Capt. Ken Locke, Capt. Kristian Blakeney, Capt. Tony McMahan, Major Dana Martin and Major Bill Smith.

Reynolds also stated Phil Price will continue to serve as commander of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad.

Photo: Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood, right, reads the oath of office to Frank Reynolds, left, as wife Jennifer, holds the Bible. Credit: Kristal Dixon