MACON, Ga. — Several hundred gathered in Macon Thursday for the Annual Salute to Georgia sheriffs.
The event is held by Jones County Sherriff Butch Reese who has been hosting the luncheon for the past 10 years.
While the main component of the luncheon is honoring the sheriff of the year, they also recognize the other 158 sheriffs in Georgia and their employees.
According to Reese, this sort of recognition is “very important to us” with the increased level of distrust after the death of Georgia Floyd sparked large-scale protests across the U.S.
“You know, law enforcement for the last few years, we've gotten a really bad rap,” he said.
Because of that, Reese sees this as a chance to showcase the good work of law enforcement in Georgia.
“The majority of law enforcement officers do the right thing,” Reese said. “And we felt like we should honor and show the public just a good side of what we do.”
State and local leaders connected to law enforcement were there to pay tribute.
There was also a salute to the fallen law enforcement officers from across the state.
During the event, one of Central Georgia’s law enforcement leaders, Houston County’s Sheriff Cullen Talton, received a standing ovation.
Talton, the longest-serving sheriff in Georgia, announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection. This means that – after 51 years at the helm of the Houston County Sheriff – Talton will retire as sheriff. He is 91 years old.
Over the past year, four law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty, including two in Central Georgia.
This year, Sheriff Deputy Tyee Browne was killed while conducting a traffic stop in Crisp County in the early hours of July 5. Croshawn Cross pleaded guilty to his murder.
In Wilcox County, Sheriff Robert Rodgers was killed in an on-duty car crash while responding to a domestic call.
At the event, the Georgia Sheriff’s Association named Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum as the 2023 sheriff of the year. Magnum is Georgia’s second female elected to the office of sheriff.