Longtime Employees Retire from Paulding Sheriff's Office

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Diane Abernathy and Corporal Jim Pearson of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office were recognized at a retirement ceremony last week held in their honor at the Paulding County Senior Citizens Center.

On hand to recognize these employees for their service were Sheriff Gary Gulledge, Commission Chairman David Austin, and numerous Deputies, friends, and family members.

Abernathy began her career at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office on February 23, 1990 as a secretary in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID). She worked in CID for 19 years until Sheriff Gary Gulledge was elected. When he took office in January of 2009 Diane became his administrative assistant.

During her 25-year career at the Sheriff’s Office, she worked for Sheriff Perry Grogan (deceased), Sheriff Bruce Harris (retired), and Sheriff Gary Gulledge.

“Diane is as good as they come! She knows this place better than anyone. Having her as my secretary for the past six years has made my job as the Sheriff much easier,” Sheriff Gulledge said in a news release. “I certainly don’t know how we will replace her; she will be sorely missed.”

Cpl. Pearson began his career in law enforcement in Florida in the 1970’s. With over 40 years of experience, Pearson has seen and been a part of many changes in policing.

He began his career at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office on March 4, 2005, which will give him just over 10 years of service with the Sheriff’s Office. Pearson was instrumental in instituting Driver Training and Taser training programs at the Sheriff’s Office.

Having worked in the Training Division the majority of his career at the Sheriff’s Office, Pearson was able to teach countless law enforcement officers invaluable skills to help them do their job better.

— From PCSO news release

(Photo: Sheriff Gary Gulledge, Corporal Jim Pearson, Diane Abernathy, Paulding County Commission Chairman David Austin. From PCSO)