Probe Into GA Sheriff Ordered After DUI Arrest

GAINESVILLE, GA — Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday ordered the investigation of Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch after the law officer was arrested on DUI charges last week.

The Georgia State Patrol on Feb. 27 arrested Couch on charges of driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane and possession of open container of alcoholic beverage, Kemp said.

Couch, who was driving a county vehicle at the time, was pulled over around 10:30 a.m., WANF-TV reported. The sheriff's speech was slurred, a deputy noticed "signs of impairment," the news outlet reported.

He was reportedly released from the Hall County Jail on a $1,560 bond.

The committee investigating Couch consists of Attorney General Christopher Carr, Greene County Sheriff Donnie Harrison and Glasscock County Sheriff Jeremy Kelley.

The probe came at the request of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, which sent a letter to Kemp on Tuesday.

A decision on whether or not to suspend Couch would fall under Kemp's authority, according to a statement released Friday by Hall County Chief Deputy Kevin Head, who is in charge of the local sheriff's office during Couch's absence.

"Please be assured that the Hall County Sheriff’s Office continues to operate normally and remains fully committed to serving our community," Head said. " … In my established
role, I already oversee the day-to-day operations of the agency, and I will continue to ensure there is no disruption to law enforcement services or public safety operations."

Head said the sheriff's office will not comment on Couch's personal life or health.

"Finally, I want to emphasize that other than those personnel required to carry out their professional duties in this past Friday’s incident, the majority of our deputies, detention
officers and civilian staff of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office had no involvement in this incident," Head said.

"These men and women continue to report to work each day dedicated to protecting the citizens of Hall County. I respectfully ask that they be treated with the same professionalism and respect they show the community and that the actions of one individual not diminish the integrity and commitment of the entire agency. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office remains focused on its mission to serve and protect the people of Hall County."