Challenger Freeman Wins Forsyth Sheriff's Race

CUMMING, GA -- Ron Freeman, who spent more than two decades with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office before leaving to help build the Brookhaven Police Department, is coming home.

Freeman is set to become Forsyth's next sheriff, after handily defeating incumbent Duane K. Piper in Tuesday's primary voting.

With all precincts in, Freeman captured 12,393 votes, nearly 65 percent of the all votes cast, to 6,709 for Piper.

Both Freeman and Piper are Republicans. Freeman will face no Democratic opposition in the November general election.

"I am truly humbled for your trust and ask that you hold me accountable while I serve you," Freeman wrote Wednesday on Facebook.

The post included a video of Freeman's acceptance speech Tuesday night at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in Cumming, where he and supporters watched election results come in.

"We've got a big challenge in front of us. This county has a lot of challenges in front of it," Freeman said. "I'm excited about facing them. I'm confident we can face them and we can make this a better place and a safer place and a better place for our kids and we can create a sheriffs department that's run on integrity and honor."

Freeman spent 26 years working at the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, including stints as chief of detectives and SWAT team co-commander.

He left to help start the Brookhaven Police Department in DeKalb County, becoming its deputy chief.

Piper had been seeking his second four-year term.

He told the Forsyth County News that he and his staff will continue to "work hard for the county" for the rest of the year.