The Henry County Update - Newsletter

November 24, 2014

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

HCFD Partners with Haven House to Brighten Christmas for Those in Need

Regular Meetings December 2nd - 9:30 AM December 16th - 6:30 PM Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Regular Commission meetings will air Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays on Henry TV Channel 180 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Every child wants to wake up on Christmas morning to a new present under the tree, and in an effort to make that happen for several area children, the Henry County Fire Department has partnered with Haven House to provide Christmas gifts for the women and children who reside there.

Collection boxes have been placed in each of Henry County’s 13 fire stations as well as in the city of McDonough fire stations, to collect new, unwrapped toys for the children who are staying at Haven House during the holidays. Officials are also asking for donations of $10 gift cards from Walmart for the women who are currently residing at Haven House. Please drop gift cards off at HCFD Headquarters, located at 110 S. Zack Hinton Parkway, McDonough, GA 30253. For a full list of fire station locations, please visit www.henrycountyga.org/fire. Deadline for drop-offs and donations is Friday, December 19, 2014.

Haven House is a shelter for victims of domestic abuse. Since opening its doors in 1999, Haven House has protected more than 4,500 victims of domestic violence and their children, plus assisted an additional 15,000 people through various outreach programs. The 48-bed safe shelter located in McDonough serves women and children from Henry, Jasper, Butts and Lamar counties.

For more information on the toy drive, please contact Kimberly Higgins at 770-288-6600. For more information on Haven House and other ways to help, please visit www.henryhavenhouse.org.

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November 24, 2014 Henry County Sheriff’s Reserves Celebrates 40 Years of Service to the Community

Reserve law enforcement units are widely utilized in the United States and throughout the world. They exist in law enforcement agencies of all sizes and jurisdictions including many of our nation’s largest. Reserve units are integrated into the fulltime operation of their agency and often fulfill specific roles and duties based on the agency mission. They provide additional trained manpower during a crisis, and provide a transition for both officers leaving fulltime law enforcement who want to continue to help their communities and those considering entering law enforcement as a career.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit fills those same roles and more with a long history of service to the citizens of Henry County. Although assigned to the Field Operations Division they support important functions for the entire agency. The Sheriff’s Reserve Unit currently consists of 21 active members all of whom are Georgia certified law enforcement officers. They volunteer their personal time to assist the full-time deputies and have contributed over 5,700 man-hours to the Sheriff’s Office in the past 12 months.

Like most Reserve Units, the Henry County Sheriff’s Reserve was born out of necessity. That necessity arose during the summer of 1974 when a ruthless serial killer named Paul John Knowles was committing brutal murders from California to

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Connecticut but primarily in the southeast. The total number of his victims known to law enforcement was 18 women, men and children. He confessed to these and 17 more murders. Because of his good looks it was easy for him to win over his intended victims. The media dubbed this cold hearted ex-convict the “The Casanova Killer.”

After a lengthy killing binge, Knowles executed a motorist and a Florida State Trooper on November 17, 1974, in Pulaski County, Georgia. Henry County Deputy Charles Hancock was on the square in McDonough when the lookout for Knowles was broadcast. He quickly recognized that he was behind the vehicle identified in the lookout. Hancock notified the dispatcher and deputies set up a roadblock on Hwy. 42 at Hudson Bridge Road. Knowles continued north with Hancock behind him. Knowles then attempted to crash through the roadblock, but he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. He escaped the vehicle on foot while firing shots at the pursuing Deputies. A chaotic footrace resulted, with Knowles pursued by dogs and helicopters called in from surrounding agencies. While fleeing through the swamp area around Hudson Bridge Road, Knowles hid the .357 magnum revolver he took from the murdered Florida Trooper. He knew it was undisputable evidence.

Due to a malfunction in a weapon he had stolen, Knowles was finally cornered by an armed civilian with a shotgun, who escorted Knowles to a nearby residence where deputies apprehended him. The brutal crime spree of Paul John Knowles had come to an end.

Because of the nature of his crimes and the fact that he had escaped from detention in other states, officials decided Knowles was to be housed at alternating undisclosed jails. While Knowles was in the Douglas County Jail he told GBI agents and Douglas County Sheriff Earl Lee

Sheriff’s Reserves from page 2 that he would show them where he hid the Troopers gun. It was later determined that his cooperation was a ploy by Knowles to attempt an escape. On December 18, while on the way back to Henry County, Knowles forcibly tried to escape by reaching over the back of the driver’s seat and grabbed Sheriff Lee’s revolver. While struggling for the gun, shots were fired by Knowles through the floorboard of the car. He was shot to death by GBI Agent Ron Angel who was riding in the passenger seat. Knowles died the same way he lived, violently.

It was shortly after the gun battle and ensuing widespread man-hunt that the Sheriff’s Office determined they did not have enough full-time deputies to quickly respond to a major crisis. To correct that condition the Sheriff’s Volunteer Reserve Force (SVR) was formed. This volunteer unit consisted of about a dozen civic minded Henry County residents. The SVR was later renamed the Sheriff’s Reserve Unit and has remained an integral part of the organizations of succeeding Sheriff’s.

Over the years, Reserve Deputies have filled many roles and some have gone on to full-time law enforcement careers. “If you encounter a Reserve Deputy you should not be able to tell the difference between them and a full-time Deputy in form or function,” stated Sheriff Keith McBrayer. “They are Georgia certified sworn peace officers and they make arrests and go to court like any other Deputy. We recognize their importance and appreciate their commitment and sacrifice.”

Additionally, many officers who are unable to continue a full-time law enforcement career join reserve units to continue to help safeguard their community while pursuing other vocations. The experience and training they bring with them from their full-time jobs is valuable to the agencies they join.

One of the original SVR Deputies currently

working for Sheriff McBrayer remained active as a reserve peace officer while completing his civilian career. Sheriff McBrayer observed “It is possible that Captain Oakman may be the last of the original SVR Deputies still serving in law enforcement.” Currently Jack Oakman is the Commander of the Professional Standards Unit. Captain Oakman believes strongly in the value volunteer law enforcement reserve units make to the communities they serve. “The spirit of volunteerism has always been a very strong characteristic in Americans. Regardless of where people are born, as they are assimilated into our diverse society they willingly give of themselves to better their communities in many ways. For a few these include emergency services such as Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement.”

Although the Sheriff’s Reserve Unit is currently at its authorized maximum staffing, anyone interested in becoming a Reserve Deputy can learn the requirements at www.henrycountysheriff.net under the Field Operations navigation button. If you are a current Georgia certified Peace Officer in good standing with POST and a resident of Henry County you can leave a message for Sergeant Brett Bebout at 770-288-7127.

Sergeant Bebout will contact you with additional information and the current staffing status.

“Reserve Deputies receive the same professional training as our full-time personnel to insure they serve the citizens to our high standards. Because of this long standing tradition of important public service we have been able to reach out to support our community in many more ways,” said Sheriff McBrayer.

In his closing remarks Sheriff McBrayer added, “On the occasion of their 40th anniversary, I want to recognize the contributions of this exceptional unit for their service to the citizens of Henry County. Without our Reserves we would not be as successful in times of crisis and when additional manpower is needed.”

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November 24, 2014 Henry County Public Safety Agencies To Offer Free Gun Safety Class

In an effort to do its part on educating the public about gun ownership and safety, Henry County Law Enforcement Agencies have joined together to host a free gun safety class for Henry County citizens, on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Henry County Administration Building.

This class will be presented by several Henry County Law Enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office and the Henry County Police Department, as well as the Hampton, McDonough and Locust Grove Police Departments, who will all

have firearms instructors teaching various parts of this classroom training. The District Attorney’s Office and the Solicitor General will also update participants on the new gun laws and when the use of a weapon for personal protection is permitted by law.

The class is expected to last approximately two hours and reservations are not required. Please do not bring any firearms or weapons of any type to the safety class.

The Henry County Administration Building is located at 140 Henry Parkway, in McDonough, GA 30253.

The Henry County Police Department is now using YouTube! The purpose is to work in partnership with our citizens in solving and reducing crime.

www.youtube.com/user/HenryCountyPoliceDpt

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Commissioner Bruce Holmes to Host 4th Annual Community Appreciation Breakfast & Christmas Celebration

District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host his fourth annual Community Appreciation Breakfast and Christmas Program on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hidden Valley Senior Center.

The event will be a morning of fellowship and celebration in appreciation of the community for their support, and will feature Christmas carols and entertainment provided by the Fairview Elementary Dance

Team and the Fairview and Austin Road Elementary Combined Chorus, as well as a delicious breakfast sponsored by Eventful Memories of Stockbridge and owner/chef Roshawn Walker.

This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend to celebrate the holiday season.

The Hidden Valley Senior Center is located at 600 Spraggins Memorial Parkway in Stockbridge.

The Henry County Administration Building will be closed Thursday, November 27, 2014 and Friday November 28, 2014 for the Thanksgiving holiday. The offices will reopen Monday, December 1, 2014 at 8:00 AM. 5

November 24, 2014 Henry County Stormwater Management Uses New Technology to Deter Thieves

In an effort to deter thieves and save its constituents money, the Henry County Stormwater Management Department is in the process of installing new locking sewer manhole covers throughout the county. This initiative is to secure stormwater manholes throughout the County in an effort to prevent stealing.

Since December 2013, a total of 38 stormwater sewer manhole covers have been reported stolen to the Henry County Police Department.

According to officials, it’s estimated that thieves make only a few dollars when selling the covers as scrap metal, yet it costs the County more than $100 each to replace, totaling approximately $4,000 in losses so far this year. Wade Stroud, Henry County Stormwater

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Management Director, said he decided to install the new locking manhole covers in an effort to deter future thefts and maintain public safety.

“Installing these new locking covers is the most cost effective way to secure the storm drains and to deter thieves,” said Stroud. “We continually look for ways to save the citizens of Henry County money and utilizing the locking technology will save us money not only in the cover replacement cost, but in manpower hours investigating thefts and replacing covers.”

For more information on the Henry County Stormwater Management Department, please contact 770-288-7246 or visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/stormwater.

Henry County Police Officer Celebrates His Retirement

Officer Bill Gray accepts a plaque from Henry County Police Chief Keith Nichols.

Six year veteran Officer Bill Gray received retirement recognition from the Command Staff and County Manager Jim Walker on Thursday, November 20, upon the occasion of his retirement. Although Officer Gray’s retirement date is not until December 1, 2014, he was presented with an award and an early celebration at the North Precinct in Stockbridge.

Before attending the Police Academy and becoming an officer with Henry County Police Department in 2008, Officer Gray was a machinist with Ford Motor Company for 14 years, and prior to that, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer after 21 years of service.

Officer Gray’s badge #5020 will retire with him as well.

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November 24, 2014 Henry County to Partner on New Prescription Drug Savings Program

November 12, 2014 –McDonough, GA – The Henry County Commission has partnered with the Coast2CoastRx prescription discount program to provide prescription drug and other discounts for Henry County residents.

Once launched, the new Coast2Coast Rx card will allow all County residents, regardless of income, age, or health status to participate in the program and save on the cost of their medications. This program has saved cardholders throughout the nation over 60 percent in 2014 on the cost of prescription drugs. Even pets and other people living outside the County are able to take part in the program. The Rx card will be distributed free of charge and may be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in Henry County and includes over 60,000 prescriptions in its formulary.

“With healthcare costs on the rise, prescription drug discounts can help ease some of the financial burdens individuals and families are facing at a time when they need it the most,” said Tommy N. Smith, Henry County Commission Chairman.

There are no eligibility requirements so the Rx card is expected to have a sizeable impact on uninsured residents or residents facing high insurance deductibles.

If a particular drug isn’t covered under a person’s health plan – they can use the card to save on those prescriptions.

Providing savings for residents through the Rx program will come at no expense to the County. In fact, Coast2Coast Rx will pay the County a royalty of $1.25 per prescription, to be put back into public programs, and the royalty does not increase cardholder cost. Besides the discount on prescriptions, the card also provides 50 percent to 80 percent discounts for lab and imaging

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tests, further helping residents save even more money on their healthcare costs for these services.

Steve Rohm, National Sales Manager of the Coast2Coast Rx program, the issuer of the Coast2Coast Rx free discount card, said, “We are pleased to work with the County to help individuals, their families and pets combat the rising cost of healthcare. We also appreciate all that the County and local pharmacies are doing to help those in need.”

The Coast2Coast Rx card is expected to have a sizeable impact on uninsured residents or residents facing high insurance deductibles. The ease and benefits to Georgia families has earned the Coast2Coast Rx program the endorsement of the Association County Commissioner’s of Georgia (ACCG). ACCG encourages all Georgia counties and their residents to participate in the program.

The Coast2Coast Rx card will be available for residents at most participating pharmacies, government offices, libraries and County health facilities. Residents will also be able to print the Rx card, check their prescription prices and view the nearest participating locations at www.coast2coastrx.com The Coast2Coast Rx card will provide residents with a valuable tool to help maintain their health and wellbeing at an affordable cost. Other Georgia Counties with the program include AugustaRichmond, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Ben Hill, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Cherokee, Cobb, Cook, Dawson, Effingham, Forsyth, Franklin, Greene, Habersham, Hart, Heard, Jackson, Jones, Liberty, Lumpkin, Madison, Monroe, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Peach, Putnam, Seminole, Spalding, Stephens, Talbot, Thomas, Town, Turner, Union, Walton, White, and Wilkes.