Peach County elects longtime deputy as sheriff. Crawford County sheriff wins reelection

Voters settled key sheriff’s races Tuesday in Middle Georgia, including in Peach and Crawford counties.

Peach County sheriff’s Sgt. Robert “Buck” Shannon defeated Roberta Police Chief Ty Matthews with 59.72% of the vote to win the Peach County sheriff’s race, according to unofficial vote totals.

“Straight from my heart, I would like to thank the citizens of Peach County for all your support, for all your votes,” Shannon said in a live post on his election Facebook page.

Shannon also thanked retiring Sheriff Terry Deese and his wife, Karen; his wife, Christa Shannon, all his family as well as his church family at the New Greater Allen Temple in Byron where his watch party was held.

Shannon, who ran on the Democratic ticket, earned 7,871 votes to 5,308 cast for Matthews, a Republican.

Shannon succeeds longtime Sheriff Deese, who’s stepping down after 20-plus years as sheriff in a more than 40-year career at the Peach County Sheriff’s Office.

Deese and his predecessor, Sheriff Johnnie Becham, backed Shannon for the post.

During the campaign, Shannon, 49, emphasized his experience at the Peach County Sheriff’s Office in varied roles for the past 27 years, including the last nine as an investigator in the criminal division.

His election platform included addressing mental health, gang violence, and fraud against the elderly.

Shannon campaigned on reviving the drug unit and establishing a gang unit in collaboration with the Byron and Fort Valley police departments, leading the sheriff’s office in the new accreditation process with the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association and having all his deputies earn a senior deputy certification through the association.

Shannon grew up in Byron and currently lives in Fort Valley.

Matthews, 58, touted his 32 years of experience in law enforcement, including numerous supervisory roles. He’s served as the police chief of Roberta in neighboring Crawford County since 2016.

“Peach County was very blessed to have two very qualified candidates, and it was a good race on both parts,” Matthews said. “I wish Buck the best of luck and may God bless him.”

Matthews said he hopes that Shannon will form some sort of coalition with Byron and Fort Valley police to crack down on crime and establish a gang task force.

Matthews was asked if he planned to run for sheriff again or had any other political aspirations.

“Right now, I’m going to get back to focusing on my job right here, chief of police for the city of Roberta, and the citizens I serve,” Mathews said. “I don’t know what will happen in the future, and I”m sure God will lead me where he wants me to be.”

His campaign platform also included obtaining state certification for the sheriff’s office, maintaining adequate staffing levels and increasing patrol staff.

He pledged to be transparent and accountable to the citizens and to ensure fair policing practices.

Matthews currently serves as the second vice president for the Georgia Association of Chiefs.

Neither Shannon nor Matthews faced opposition in the primary.

Crawford County

In Crawford County, incumbent Sheriff Lewis S. Walker soundly defeated his challenger, Twiggs County deputy Gene Parker, with 71.12% of the vote.

Walker garnered 4,417 votes, compared to 1,794 ballots cast for Parker.

“We thank everybody that supported us,” said Walker, who waited for results at the Crawford County Center in Roberta with family, co-workers and other supporters. “We look forward to their continued support as we move forward into our next term.”

January will mark the start of Walker’s fifth, four-year term.

Walker, 64, whose law enforcement career at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office spans 37 years, ran on his record. He was first elected in November 2008 and took office in January 2009.

A native of Crawford County, Walker was captain of the patrol division when first elected sheriff.

He started with the agency in 1987 when the department only had four deputies.

He touted technological upgrades to the sheriff’s office, including the Enhanced 911 system, body cameras and in-car cameras.

He previously ran as a Democrat but ran as an independent this year to emphasize what he says is the nonpartisan nature of the sheriff’s office.

He currently serves as president of Georgia Sheriffs’ Association.

Parker, 50, who ran as a Republican, has a combined total of more than 30 years in public service, including more than 20 years in law enforcement.

His campaign platform included better training for deputies, adding school resource officers and grant-funded initiatives, including possibly building a new jail.

Parker stressed the importance of community engagement and transparency.

“I congratulate my opponent and I wish him the best,” said Parker, who also remained critical of the current administration and said he may consider running again for Crawford County sheriff in the future.

This story was originally published November 6, 2024 at 1:38 AM.