New Cherokee Schools Police Chief Sworn In

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Cherokee County Schools has a new police chief.

A special ceremony to swear in the new Chief for CCSD’s School Police Department was held June 20. Buster Cushing, who recently retired as a Major with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and just returned from the FBI National Academy program for law enforcement leaders, is the district's new chief.

His longtime friend, Cherokee County State Court Judge A. Dee Morris, conducted the ceremony, which was attended by Cushing’s family and a crowd of local law enforcement leaders including Sheriff Frank Reynolds and Chief Deputy Chief Ken Ball, as well as immediate past Sheriff Roger Garrison.

“You’re excited we’re getting one of your best, and we’re excited we’re getting one of your best,” Superintendent Brian Hightower told the audience, which rose to give Cushing a standing ovation. “We think a lot of Buster. It’s a very forward moment for us as a School District and school police department.”

Cushing will fill the role held by retiring Chief Mark Kissel, who has led the department since its establishment 20 years ago.

"Major Cushing is just the right leader to continue to legacy of excellent service by Chief Kissel," Hightower said. "His experience, education, reputation and commitment to our community will serve our School District and community well as he takes on this incredibly important role in our organization."

Cushing's past roles with the Sheriff's Office over the last 22 years also have included commander of criminal investigations, lieutenant of internal affairs, narcotics agent supervisor, SWAT Team leader, crime suppression team leader and uniform patrol shift commander, after beginning his career as a deputy for one year in Early County. During his tenure with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, he has earned three Commendation Awards.

He's a graduate of CCSD's VILLA (Volunteer Instructional Leadership Learning Academy) parent academy and has won the Guardian of Ethics Award from the Rotary Club of Canton, for which he serves as sergeant-at-arms, and the Cristal Stancil Leadership Award from the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

Cushing earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Georgia, and a master's degree in public administration from Columbus State College.

He and his wife, Christy, have a daughter, Preslie, and son, Sadler, who both are students at Creekview High School.