anonymously. Call Georgia Child Protective Services at 1-855-GA-CHILD (1-855-422-4453) or contact local law enforcement.
• Volunteer or Mentor: Positive adult role models make a major difference. Volunteer with after-school programs, youth sports or tutoring groups.
Let’s move from awareness to action, and build a culture where every adult sees child safety as their duty. Imagine a Newton County where:
• Every adult knows the signs of abuse and how to respond.
• Every business supports child protection programs.
• Every church offers healing and education.
• Every civic group adopts child welfare as a mission.
• Every neighborhood becomes a place of safety and watchfulness.
This is the moment to act. In the years ahead, we will be remembered for how we protected the most vulnerable among us. Let’s be known as the generation that stood up, spoke out and took real action. Let’s build a Newton County where abuse has no hiding place, and where every child grows up knowing safety, love and worth.
Child abuse prevention must be a lasting part of our culture — built into our homes, schools, churches and neighborhoods. That culture begins with awareness, grows with education and takes root through action.
A community is only as strong as its most vulnerable members. Our children — innocent, full of promise — are counting on us.
This is not a fight that will be won in a day. But with your help, it will be won. Together, we are stronger than fear. Together, we are protectors of dreams, defenders of childhood and builders of a safer tomorrow.
Let us be the generation remembered for standing firm and doing what was right. Let us make Newton County a place where abuse cannot survive, and where every child knows they are safe, loved and valued.
Thank you for your partnership, your commitment and your dedication to building a safer, stronger Newton County.
Sheriff Ezell Brown
Newton County, GA
NCSO HONORS EXCELLENCE AT 13TH ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office hosted their 13th Annual Awards Ceremony Thursday, April 4, at Porter Performing Arts Center in Covington, Georgia. The event recognized deputies, detention officers, staff members and retirees for their outstanding service, dedication and heroic actions in 2024.
The evening began with the presentation of Years of Service awards. Employees reaching milestones of one, five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years received certificates in recognition of their dedication, while a special plaque was presented to those who reached 35 years of service.
Division Deputy of the Year awards were presented to individuals who demonstrated exceptional performance in their respective areas:
• Special Investigations Division: Cpl. Avery Williams
Cpl. Patrick Gilbert was named Deputy of the Year for his leadership, professionalism and exceptional service to the Sheriff’s Office. Gilbert was also recognized as Instructor of the Year and received a Life Saving Award for actions that helped preserve a life during an emergency.
Rookie of the Year awards were presented to Deputy William Wright for Uniform Patrol and Detention Officer Portia Birch for the Detention Center, highlighting their strong starts and dedication early in their careers.
Brandy Burch was named Employee of the Year for her continued excellence and contributions to the agency’s mission.
The Purple Heart award was presented to Cpl. Delarion Walls in recognition of his bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty.
Meritorious Service awards were presented in three groups. Deputy Willie Gaines, Deputy Chardelle McFarlin
and Deputy Dustin Wooten were recognized for exceptional teamwork and service. A second group honor went to Investigator Joshua Hicks, Lt. Tony Howard and Investigator Odalis Alberto. Alberto also received an individual Meritorious Service Award for separate commendable actions.
Life Saving Awards were also presented to Cpl. Troy Mason and Chaplain Dr. James Walden Sr. A Narcan Life Saving Certificate was awarded to Deputy Selvin Bruce, Deputy Devin Bullock, Sgt. Tim Dickerson, Cpl. Patrick Gilbert, Deputy Billy Leazer, Cpl. Avery Williams and Deputy William Wright for their life-saving efforts during overdose emergencies.
Sgt. Jack Redlinger received the Humanitarian Award for his compassion and continued positive impact in the community.
Retirement recognition was given to Detention Officer Jacqueline Cobb and Deputy William Gordon for their service to the agency. A special tribute was made in memory of Investigator Virginia “Ginger” Stabile, with her family accepting her retirement certificate on her behalf.
Sheriff Ezell Brown expressed his appreciation for all honorees. He said, “Each of these individuals represents the very best of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. Their service, character, and commitment continue to make a lasting impact on this community.”
Sheriff Brown also took a moment to express his gratitude to all the sponsors of the 13th Annual Award Ceremony, including Legacy Commissary Services, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Fox Theatre, Embassy Suites Hotels Midtown and Georgia Aquarium. He acknowledged their vital support, which made the event possible.
In a special recognition during the evening, Sheriff Brown was presented with the official signed and sealed reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Vince Dauro, Regional Program Manager for CALEA, had the honor of presenting this recognition to Sheriff Brown, highlighting the Sheriff’s Office’s continued commitment to upholding the highest standards in law enforcement.
NCSO GRADUATES MORE THAN 150 STUDENTS FROM C.H.A.M.P.S.
In April, Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office graduated more than 150 students across four different elementary schools — Mansfield, West Newton, South Salem and Heard-Mixon — from the Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety (C.H.A.M.P.S.) program.
The C.H.A.M.P.S. program is taught to every fifth grader in the Newton County School System and covers topics such as drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse prevention; gangs and violence; peer pressure and bullying; internet safety; methamphetamine; and cocaine. The instructors — Deputies Tim Smith, Michael Gregg and Kimberly Cox — are certified to teach by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association and tailor lesson plans to meet the specific needs of each school.
The goal of the program is to equip students with the skills they need to succeed and help them avoid the obstacles they may face. Sheriff Brown also challenges C.H.A.M.P.S. students to be NBA stars — Never Be Arrested.
Sheriff Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office thank Newton County School System Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III, the Newton County Board of Education, and the principals, teachers and staff at Mansfield Elementary, West Newton Elementary, South Salem Elementary and Heard-Mixon Elementary for their role in making the C.H.A.M.P.S. program a success.
MORE THAN 20 INMATE RESIDENTS GRADUATE FROM JAIL PROGRAMS
Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, in continued partnership with Action Inc., celebrated the graduation of more than 20 inmate residents from two jail-based programs: Welding Training and Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT). The ceremonies were held April 9 and April 17 at the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
These programs are part of the Sheriff’s Office’s mission to promote rehabilitation and reentry by equipping incarcerated individuals with the tools and training needed to build better lives.
“Our mission is not just to detain but to develop,” Sheriff Brown said. “We are here to offer hope, rehabilitation and the skills necessary for successful reentry into society. These men and women have worked hard to change their lives, and I am proud of each and every one of them.”
The Welding Training program, celebrated during the April 9 ceremony, is facilitated through the Sheriff’s Office’s Workforce Development Office. It prepares participants for employment after release through a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum. With entry-level pay in the welding field ranging from $18 to $22 per hour and no cap on earning potential, the program creates real opportunities for career advancement.
Upon completing the program, participants took the American Welding Society’s Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) sheet metal tests, which included a visual
inspection and a bend test to assess weld integrity. All participants passed the evaluations, demonstrating their readiness for the workforce.
Graduates also earned multiple certifications to enhance their employability, including welding, OSHA 10, forklift operator/safety, Lean Six Sigma White Belt, CPR/first aid/ AED, soft skills and employability ethics.
The following inmate residents graduated from the Welding Training Program: Jontavious Brown, Tyrone Seats, Bernard Norman, Michael Dale, Percy Parker, Cameron Davis, Christopher Scott Mullin, Scott Freeman, Stewart Farris and Ronshay Smith.
The RSAT program, celebrated during the April 17 ceremony, is a three-month initiative designed to help incarcerated individuals rehabilitate by developing essential cognitive, behavioral, social and vocational skills.
In addition to RSAT, the Sheriff’s Office offers the #1 Dads program, a vital initiative aimed at strengthening and rebuilding relationships between incarcerated fathers and their children, as well as their spouses or partners. Through workshops, case management and job skills training, the program promotes responsible fatherhood, healthy relationships and economic stability.
On April 9, the following inmate residents graduated from either the RSAT or the #1 Dads programs: Christopher Storey, Arri Wilburn, Gregory Thompson, Ronald Baker, Wayne Williams II, Frankie Sutton Jr., Andrew Rogers, Cody Carter, Kevin Coe, Terrance Collins, Joshua Mincey, Tony Hurst, Brian Aaron, Eric Huff, Brian Whitmire, Bethany Stewart, Ayana Smith-Kelly, Crystal Wheeless, Hilary Adams, Hannah Torrens and Rebecca Kelley.
Since launching jail-based programs like Welding Training and RSAT, the Newton County Detention Center has seen a 50.6% decrease in repeat offenders returning to the facility since 2008. The Sheriff’s Office currently offers more than 20 tailored programs to meet the diverse needs of its inmate population.
NCSO SWAT TEAM INSPIRES STUDENTS AT OAK HILL CAREER DAY
On April 17, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team participated in Career Day at Oak Hill Elementary School.
Team members enjoyed answering students’ questions, demonstrating their gear and sharing what it means to serve and protect the community. The visit was a great opportunity to inspire young minds and give them a closer look at the important work done by law enforcement.
Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office thank Oak Hill Elementary for the warm welcome and the chance to connect with the next generation of leaders.
TRAFFIC STOP TURNS INTO ACT OF KINDNESS FOR TWO NCSO DEPUTIES
What began as a routine traffic stop for a seatbelt violation in April quickly became a testament to the compassion and commitment that often goes unseen behind the badge. Deputy John Restivo pulled over a mother who was driving without a proper car seat for her child. As he spoke with her, he learned the heartbreaking reason: she simply couldn’t afford one.
Without hesitation, Deputy Restivo reached out to his supervisor, Sgt. Jack Redlinger. Together, they purchased a car seat with their own money to ensure the child’s safety and offer the mother a helping hand in a difficult moment.
Though a citation was still issued in accordance with the law, both Deputy Restivo and Sgt. Redlinger shared that they was grateful for the opportunity to help someone in need.
