Joel Cochran wins Washington County sheriff race

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Georgia — Joel Cochran has been voted in as Washington County's new sheriff.

Cochran defeated Michael Johnson and Kelly Brooks Jr. with 3,059 votes, which is 52.6 percent of the total votes.

Michael Johnson received 144 votes, and Kelly Brooks Jr. got 2,612.

Joel Cochran went to Georgia Military College and has worked for the Washington County Sheriff's Office for about 17 years, but says he's worked in law enforcement his entire adult life with 24 years of experience. 

Chief Deputy Mark McGraw took over as interim sheriff after Thomas Smith died in August, but did not run for the full-time position. 

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