Meet the Candidates: Chris Nichols, Republican Candidate for Sheriff

Chris Nichols (Jackson County Sheriff, Georgia, candidate 2024)

Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from The University of Georgia and a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. He currently resides in South Jackson with his wife and three children. He serves on the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority Board and a local non-profit charity as a board member and is a member of the NEGA Medical Reserve Corps. 

Chris currently serves as a Division Commander with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. He is a certified trainer in several law enforcement specialties, including active shooter responses. He also serves as an EMT and supports emergency medical response training for law enforcement. 

This is Chris Nichols's first entry into politics.

Advocates for the wellness and safety of law enforcement personnel.

Said, "As our county grows, so do the demands on law enforcement. We need proactive strategies in place to address the challenges that come with a larger population."

Wants to partner with other agencies to tackle complex issues such as preventing the increase of crime.

Considers de-escalation as a critical aspect of policing, and plans to implement training and provide personnel with less lethal equipment for de-escalation to reduce the risk of injury and mitigate potential deaths. 

Wants to allocate funds towards public safety, including training programs, modern equipment, and technology that aims to enhance operational efficiency in law enforcement.

Plans to be financially transparent with tax funds, disclosing budgetary allocations, expenditures, and financial decisions.

Plans to install employee resiliency training aimed to ensure job capability and install a positive work culture emphasizing self-care and stress management.

- Advocates for the wellness and safety of law enforcement personnel.
- Said, "As our county grows, so do the demands on law enforcement. We need proactive strategies in place to address the challenges that come with a larger population."
- Wants to partner with other agencies to tackle complex issues such as preventing the increase of crime.
- Considers de-escalation as a critical aspect of policing, and plans to implement training and provide personnel with less lethal equipment for de-escalation to reduce the risk of injury and mitigate potential deaths. 
- Wants to allocate funds towards public safety, including training programs, modern equipment, and technology that aims to enhance operational efficiency in law enforcement.
- Plans to be financially transparent with tax funds, disclosing budgetary allocations, expenditures, and financial decisions.
- Plans to install employee resiliency training aimed to ensure job capability and install a positive work culture emphasizing self-care and stress management.

Public Safety

Wants to address the staffing shortage in the Sheriff's Office through competitive compensation packages, career development opportunities, transparency in leadership and decision-making, training programs, and up-to-date technology and equipment.

- Wants to address the staffing shortage in the Sheriff's Office through competitive compensation packages, career development opportunities, transparency in leadership and decision-making, training programs, and up-to-date technology and equipment.

Jail Management

Prioritizes ethicality in policing and plans to take allegations seriously and hold law enforcement accountable.

- Prioritizes ethicality in policing and plans to take allegations seriously and hold law enforcement accountable.

Criminal Justice

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Chris Nichols

Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from The University of Georgia and a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. He currently resides in South Jackson with his wife and three children. He serves on the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority Board and a local non-profit charity as a board member and is a member of the NEGA Medical Reserve Corps

Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from The University of Georgia and a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. He completed the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations program and the GACP Chief Executive Training Course. He lives in South Jackson with his wife and three children. He serves on the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority Board and a local non-profit charity as a board member and is a member of the NEGA Medical Reserve Corps

Chris Nichols obtained a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from The University of Georgia and a master’s in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. He completed the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations program and the GACP Chief Executive Training Course. He lives in South Jackson with his wife and three children. He serves on the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority Board and a local non-profit charity as a board member and is a member of the NEGA Medical Reserve Corps

Chris Nichols currently serves as a Division Commander with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. He is a certified trainer in several law enforcement specialties, including active shooter response. Nichols is also an EMT and supports emergency medical response training for law enforcement. 

Plans to implement less lethal tools for de-escalation to reduce the risk of injury and prevent the loss of life.

- Advocates for the wellness and safety of law enforcement personnel.
- Said, "As our county grows, so do the demands on law enforcement. We need proactive strategies in place to address the challenges that come with a larger population."
- Wants to partner with other agencies to tackle complex issues such as preventing the increase of crime.
- Plans to implement less lethal tools for de-escalation to reduce the risk of injury and prevent the loss of life.

As of March 19, 2024, Chris Nichols’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Fox 5 Atlanta, Georgia sheriff's candidate fired after hidden camera catches him sneaking into rival's locked office

Dale is from Brockton, Georgia and graduated from Jackson County High School in 1997. He received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Reinhardt University. Dale is married to his wife, Wendy and has three children with her. They attend the Grove Baptist Church.

Dale was a captain, commander, and Lieutenant and Chief investigator with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. He was fired in 2023 after being caught entering the locked office of another candidate for sheriff after hours without permission. Dale also previously served as a jailer, patrol officer with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Criminal Apprehension Team (SCAT) Team working to prevent drug use and property crimes in high crime areas. 

Dale Allen Dillow's campaign for Jackson County Sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Wants to start an intelligence sharing group with other law enforcement agencies in the county.

Wants to implement Flock cameras in Jackson County, which "are cameras that record all traffic and tag information in a certain area and give alerts to law enforcement such as wanted persons, stolen vehicles, and missing persons."

Wants to ensure school resource officers are properly trained and better connect the Sheriff's Department with local schools.

Wants to form a Sheriff's Emergency Response Team that handles high risk situations like hostage rescues and active shootings.

- Wants to start an intelligence sharing group with other law enforcement agencies in the county.
- Wants to implement Flock cameras in Jackson County, which "are cameras that record all traffic and tag information in a certain area and give alerts to law enforcement such as wanted persons, stolen vehicles, and missing persons."
- Wants to ensure school resource officers are properly trained and better connect the Sheriff's Department with local schools.
- Wants to form a Sheriff's Emergency Response Team that handles high risk situations like hostage rescues and active shootings.

As of March 19, 2024, Dale Allen Dillow’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to start an in-house narcotics unit and a multi-agency narcotics team to fight drug issues in Jackson County.

Wants to rebuild the K9 program to help find drugs and missing people.

- Wants to start an in-house narcotics unit and a multi-agency narcotics team to fight drug issues in Jackson County.
- Wants to rebuild the K9 program to help find drugs and missing people.

Dale Allen Dillow

Dale is from Brockton, Georgia and attended Jackson County High School. He received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Reinhardt University. Dale is married and has three children. They attend the Grove Baptist Church.

Dale was a captain at the Sheriff's Department and commander of the sheriff’s investigative division. He was fired in 2023 after being caught entering the locked office of another candidate for sheriff after hours without permission.

- Wants to rebuild the K9 program to help find drugs and missing people.
- Wants to start an in-house narcotics unit and a multi-agency narcotics team to fight drug issues in Jackson County.
- Wants to start an intelligence sharing group with other law enforcement agencies in the county.
- Wants to implement Flock cameras in Jackson County, which "are cameras that record all traffic and tag information in a certain area and give alerts to law enforcement such as wanted persons, stolen vehicles, and missing persons."
- Wants to ensure school resource officers are properly trained and better connect the Sheriff's Department with local schools.
- Wants to form a Sheriff's Emergency Response Team that handles high risk situations like hostage rescues and active shootings.

Meet the Candidates: Ken Harmon, Republican Candidate for Sheriff

Ken Harmon (Jackson County Sheriff, Georgia, candidate 2024)

Ken Harmon

Ken is married to his wife, Jacki, with whom they have two children and two grandchildren. He resides in Jackson County with his family and attends Jefferson Church. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from Liberty University and a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. Harmon is also a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College and the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville.

Ken currently serves as Chief of Police for the city of Commerce. He has worked in a variety of roles in law enforcement, including Uniform Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, Criminal investigations, and as a Task force officer for the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

This is Ken Harmon's first entry into politics.

Plans to combat opioid addiction and overdoses by investigating sales and distribution, and working with recovery groups.

Plans to "have a functioning tactical response team capable of protecting our community should a violent criminal incident occur."

Wants to emphasize traffic enforcement to prevent serious injury and fatal crashes by focusing on specific locations based on crash data and other intelligence.

- Plans to combat opioid addiction and overdoses by investigating sales and distribution, and working with recovery groups.
- Plans to "have a functioning tactical response team capable of protecting our community should a violent criminal incident occur."
- Wants to emphasize traffic enforcement to prevent serious injury and fatal crashes by focusing on specific locations based on crash data and other intelligence.

Wants to address the staffing shortage at the Sheriff's Office through the "use of recruitment tools to streamline hiring practices and make the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office a more enticing place to begin a law enforcement career."

Plans to prioritize retention of staff through the implementation of servant leadership practices.

Wants to work with local school systems to locate and recruit students interested in law enforcement, and technical colleges to develop a program where students gain work experience while pursuing an  associate's degree with financial support from the governor's office. 

As the Chief of Police, he worked to bring advancements in technology to Commerce Police Department like new body cameras, an in-car camera system, and the deployment of stationary tag readers around the city.

- Wants to address the staffing shortage at the Sheriff's Office through the "use of recruitment tools to streamline hiring practices and make the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office a more enticing place to begin a law enforcement career."
- Plans to prioritize retention of staff through the implementation of servant leadership practices.
- Wants to work with local school systems to locate and recruit students interested in law enforcement, and technical colleges to develop a program where students gain work experience while pursuing an  associate's degree with financial support from the governor's office. 
- As the Chief of Police, he worked to bring advancements in technology to Commerce Police Department like new body cameras, an in-car camera system, and the deployment of stationary tag readers around the city.

As of March 19, 2024, Ken Harmon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ken Harmon is married to his wife, and together they have two children and two grandchildren. He resides in Jackson County with his family and attends Jefferson Church. He received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from Liberty University and a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. Harmon is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College and the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville.

Ken Harmon currently serves as Chief of Police for the city of Commerce. He has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, having worked in a variety of roles including Uniform Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, Criminal investigations, and as a Task force officer for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Harmon has hosted community events such as Shop with a Hero, National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop, and Community Block Parties.

- Plans to combat opioid addiction and overdoses by investigating sales and distribution and working with recovery groups.
- Website says, "With exponential growth, the County will experience a rise in crime, traffic related incidents, gang activity, and other ills that will, if left unabated, create a shift in the identity of the County.  The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office led by Ken Harmon will work tirelessly to protect the identity of Jackson County and ward off the ills of exponential growth."
- Plans to "have a functioning tactical response team capable of protecting our community should a violent criminal incident occur."
- Wants to emphasize traffic enforcement to prevent serious injury and fatal crashes by focusing on specific locations based on crash data and other intelligence.

- Wants to address the staffing shortage at the Sheriff's Office through the "use of recruitment tools to streamline hiring practices and make the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office a more enticing place to begin a law enforcement career."
- Plans to prioritize retention of staff through the implementation of servant leadership practices.
- Said, "We will partner with our school systems and identify students who have an interest in a law enforcement career and bring them onto our staff in varied capacities. We will partner with local technical colleges and require students within the program to pursue an associate degree while capitalizing on workforce development scholarships available through the Governor’s Office."
- Worked to bring advancements in technology to Commerce Police Department like new body cameras, an in-car camera system, and the deployment of stationary tag readers around the city.

Meet the Candidates: Kevin McCook, Republican Candidate for Sheriff

Kevin McCook graduated from Commerce High School. He attended Bob Jones University and Toccoa Falls College. He currently resides in Jackson County with his wife and two children. His family attends 12Stone Church. He has volunteered for multiple non-profit organizations.

Kevin McCook worked as a Deputy Sheriff in Jackson County as a Training Director. He also has experience serving in the United States Marine Corps. owning and operating a commercial grading company, McCook Grading, and as a youth pastor. 

This is Kevin McCook's first entry into politics.

McCook announces bid for Sheriff

Wants to address increases in drug overdoses and mental health issues in the community.  

Said, " it is clear our citizens are concerned about the threat of crime at our county lines – including the threat of criminal illegal immigrants – keeping our kids and schools safe, ensuring our Constitutional rights are protected."

Teaches a public firearms class and provides church safety, active shooter and self-defense training. 

- Wants to address increases in drug overdoses and mental health issues in the community.  
- Said, " it is clear our citizens are concerned about the threat of crime at our county lines – including the threat of criminal illegal immigrants – keeping our kids and schools safe, ensuring our Constitutional rights are protected."
- Teaches a public firearms class and provides church safety, active shooter and self-defense training. 

Wants to address staffing shortages by investing in employees through professional development.

- Wants to address staffing shortages by investing in employees through professional development.

As of March 19, 2024, Kevin McCook’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kevin McCook

- Wants to address increases in drug overdoses and mental health issues. 
- Said, " it is clear our citizens are concerned about the threat of crime at our county lines – including the threat of criminal illegal immigrants – keeping our kids and schools safe, ensuring our Constitutional rights are protected."
- Teaches a public firearms class and provides church safety, active shooter and self-defense training. 

Kevin McCook attended Bob Jones University and Toccoa Falls College. He resides in Jackson County with his wife and two children. They attend 12Stone Church. He has volunteered for multiple non-profit organizations.

Kevin McCook has served as Deputy Sheriff in Jackson County for more than 15 years. He owned and operated McCook Grading, a commercial grading company, and worked as a youth pastor. He also served in the United States Marine Corps.

- Wants to address the increasing number of drug overdoses and provide assistance to individuals with mental health issues.
- Said, "After talking to hundreds of people across our county, it is clear our citizens are concerned about the threat of crime at our county lines – including the threat of criminal illegal immigrants – keeping our kids and schools safe, ensuring our Constitutional rights are protected."
- Teaches a Citizen’s Firearms class and created church safety, active shooter and self-defense classes.

As of May 3, 2024, Kevin McCook’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The County Sheriff is an elected official who acts as the chief law enforcement officer in their county. They are tasked with operating the county jails, keeping courtrooms secure during trials, and keeping the public safe through proper law enforcement. Each Sheriff's Office in Georgia may look a little different in how they hire and run their teams, but all County Sheriffs have the same duties. These duties include the following:

- Operating the county jail
- Providing court security
- Serving civil papers
- Executing arrest warrants
- Providing primary law enforcement within unincorporated areas of the county
- Working with city law enforcement officers to keep municipalities safe

The County Sheriff and their office are unique to other law enforcement agencies in that it has to answer to the people it serves. Historically, a turnover in the Sheriff’s office will likely result in noticeable change within the office, so voting for this office is a very effective way to vote approval or disapproval for how county law enforcement is conducted.