HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — A veteran Central Georgia prosecutor is stepping down.
Houston County District Attorney George Hartwig submitted a letter of retirement to Governor Brian Kemp last Saturday.
Kemp accepted his retirement Tuesday, according to Pete Skandalakis, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia.
Hartwig worked as a Florida police officer in the 1970s and '80s, before moving to Macon to attend Mercer's law school.
After joining the Houston County District Attorney's office as an assistant DA in 2001, he ran for the top job in 2010, succeeding Kelly Burke. He won a new term just last year.
Some of the most notable cases he's prosecuted include a 20-year cold case, the 1994 murder of Summer Gleaton. A judge sentenced Homer Ridley III to life without the possibility of parole.
"Today's a good day, for the family and for law enforcement and for my office, certainly. You know Homer Ridley III had literally gotten away with murder for 23 plus years," Hartwig said in June 2018 after Ridley was sentenced.
In 2019, Hartwig was awarded the 2019 Outstanding Advocacy in Capital Litigation Award by the Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation for his work prosecuting Ridley.
In 2018, a jury found Brandon Warren and Dakota White guilty of malice murder and concealing the death of Perry teen Samuel Poss. A judge sentenced both Warren and White were to life in prison as well.
Hartwig won reelection without opposition in 2012 and 2016, and just nine months ago, he beat his former chief assistant, Erikka Williams with 52 percent of the vote.
He promised to continue to work hard to represent everyone in Houston County.
"Certainly what I've been doing for the last 10 years and that is prosecuting people who victimize our community and our citizens and continue to be the best DA that I can be," Hartwig said in November.
Now, Hartwig's position will be temporarily filled by Chief Assistant District Attorney William Kendall. Then, the governor will appoint a new prosecutor to fill the District Attorney's position.
"There's a lot of talented, qualified attorneys in Houston County. We just got to see who puts there name in," Williams, Hartwig's former opponent said. "I would just like to say I would like to serve in whatever capacity that they see fit. I'm a big fan of Houston County. That's why I work so hard to bring change."
Hartwig sent his retirement letter to 13WMAZ. It reads:
"After much thought, prayer, and consultation with my wife, I have decided to retire as District Attorney of the Houston Judicial Circuit effective September 1, 2021. It has been my honor and privilege to serve the State of Georgia as a Prosecutor for the past 20 years. The highlight of my legal career has been to serve as Houston's District Attorney since 2020.
Throughout my career, I have strived to serve the citizens of this state to the best of my ability. I have worked hard to keep Houston County safe and to seek a full measure of justice for victims of crime. I leave the District Attorney's office in the very capable hands of my Chief Assistant District Attorney, William Kendall."
We reached out to Hartwig about why he retired mid-term. He only shared his retirement letter that was sent to the Governor.
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