Dooley Retires From Paulding Sheriff's Office To Take Emergency Post

DALLAS, GA — There were tacos for "Taco" on his last day at the sheriff's office.

On Friday, Cpl. Stephen Dooley (nickname: "Taco") retired from the Paulding County Sheriff's Office after 15 years.

But he's not hanging up his hat in the public-service realm.

Last week, Dooley was named Paulding County's new emergency management coordinator.

Dooley started work with the sheriff's office in Paulding on February 22, 2001. During his career there, he worked as a clerical analyst before becoming a certified peace officer.

He spent the majority of his time with the office as a crime scene investigator, processing crime scenes, conducting investigations and collecting forensic evidence.

He was also emergency management coordinator for the sheriff's office and in charge of tactical dispatch for the county's SWAT team.

"Stephen is one of those guys that never leaves until the job is done," said Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge. "If there was an emergency or disaster, Stephen is the first one there and the last one to leave.

"I am very sad that we are losing him, but can rest easy knowing he is still in our county working as the EMA Coordinator ... They have definitely gained an excellent employee."

On Friday, Dooley was treated to a taco bar feast by his investigations division co-workers and Los Maguey's Mexican Restaurant.

Photo courtesy Paulding County Sheriff's Office