Three Cherokee County Prosecutors Honored During State Conference

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — This week, during the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia annual summer conference, three Cherokee County prosecutors received awards from the District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia and the Georgia Association of Solicitors-General.

Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace was recognized as District Attorney of the Year, Chief Assistant Solicitor-General David McElyea was awarded Assistant Solicitor-General of the Year, and Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ashe was honored as Assistant District Attorney of the Year for Division 2.

Wallace has served as district attorney of the Blue Ridge Judicial District, Cherokee County, since 2013. In addition to leading her staff of 53 prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates, and support personnel, she is a board member of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, Cherokee FOCUS, and Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club and is a member of the Canton Rotary Club and Cherokee S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together).

Wallace holds leadership roles in many statewide organizations, including co-chair of Gov. Brian Kemp’s Judicial Nominating Commission of Georgia, immediate past president of District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia, and council chair of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1999 with a bachelor of arts in both psychology and criminal justice, and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia’s School of Law in 2002.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this prestigious award, but the true credit for the good work of this Office rightfully belongs to all of the dedicated public servants with whom I work alongside,” Wallace said in a news release. “And while I am so honored to be recognized in this way by my peers, I am most grateful for the privilege to serve the people of Cherokee County every day.”

McElyea is the chief assistant solicitor-general of the Cherokee County Solicitor-General’s Office. In his 18-year career as a prosecutor, he has handled everything from ordinance cases to vehicular homicides, minor traffic charges to complex DUIs, and family violence matters to drug crimes. For the past 15 years, he has served as Cherokee’s DUI Court prosecutor, in addition to being an active member of Georgia Association of Solicitors-General’s appellate committee.

Besides his work as a prosecutor, McElyea gives back to the community by participating in service projects and organizations, including collecting school supplies for underprivileged children, participating in coat drives, and supporting the Cherokee County Family Violence Center. He earned his law degree from the University of Memphis’ Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 2004.

“David is an extremely effective trial lawyer who has a profound ethical sensibility that leads him to always do what is right,” Cherokee County Solicitor-General Todd Hayes said in the release. “But he is much more than just his work. He donates to every good cause presented to our office, but never seeks recognition for it. He simply wants his workplace and his community to be better places.”

Ashe is a prosecutor assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit in the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office. In her nine-year career, she has prosecuted everything from traffic offenses to heinous murders, but now solely prosecutes intimate partner violence crimes. Prior to joining the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office in 2018, she was a prosecutor in the Cherokee County Solicitor-General’s Office.

Ashe is very active in professional and community organizations, including co-chair of the Cherokee County Domestic Violence Task Force and member of the Rotary Club of Canton, Service League of Cherokee County, and Canton Optimist Club. Throughout the year, she initiates service projects for organizations in need. Ashe earned her law degree from Georgia State University Law School in 2012.

“Rachel is the consummate minister of justice, and her integrity is second to none. She has amazing strength to handle domestic violence crimes, ensuring that vulnerable victims are given a voice in the justice system,” Wallace said in the release. “She is a true public servant, giving back to her community through her career and beyond.”