NCSO
August 2025 newsletter
A MOMENT WITH
COMMUNITY SAFETY AS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
As your Sheriff, it is both my honor and my calling to greet you not just as a law enforcement leader, but as a servant of this community. Each month brings opportunities to grow, to connect and to strengthen the ties that make Newton County more than just a place to live, it makes us family.
This month, I want to reflect on something I believe is the cornerstone of a thriving county: Community Safety as a Shared Responsibility.
August is often described as a bridge month: a time of change, preparation and forward motion. For families, it is a time of new school schedules and renewed routines. For businesses, it is a time to review goals, strengthen customer service and prepare for the busy months ahead. For churches and faith leaders, it is a time to refocus ministries, strengthen outreach and reenergize spiritual commitments.
For the Sheriff’s Office, August is a reminder that safety and security, both physical and emotional, are at the foundation of everything we do. Without safety, children cannot learn freely. Without safety, businesses cannot thrive. Without safety, faith leaders cannot minister without distraction. Safety is not simply a law enforcement duty; it is the foundation for every blessing, opportunity and dream in Newton County.
The Call for Stronger Partnerships: I firmly believe that no Sheriff’s Office, no matter how dedicated, can singlehandedly create the kind of community we deserve. Safety must be shared. It requires partnerships:
• Citizens who remain vigilant, caring for their neighborhoods and watching out for one another.
• Businesses that not only provide goods and services but also invest in the well-being of their employees and the safety of their premises.
• Faith leaders who bring hope, healing and spiritual covering to our citizens, while working with law enforcement to build bridges of understanding.
In August, I am inviting each of you — citizens,
business owners and faith leaders — to recommit to being part of this safety network. Your role is vital, and your involvement makes a lasting difference.
In alignment with our ongoing mission to serve and protect, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is actively exploring several forward-looking initiatives designed to enhance safety, strengthen partnerships and foster trust across our community. Here are two initiatives I would like to touch base on:
Safety in Our Schools: As thousands of students return to classrooms this month, the Sheriff’s Office is increasing efforts to ensure safe school zones, safe bus stops and safe learning environments. The safety of our future leaders continues to be top priority. Additionally, our agency will be conducting active shooter training sessions to ensure all emergency response teams in our community are fully prepared to act swiftly and effectively in the event of a crisis.
Faith & Blue Corporate Prayer on the Square Preview: This October, we will once again unite law enforcement, faith leaders and the community during Faith & Blue Weekend. But in August, we begin our preparation. We are inviting pastors, ministry leaders and faith-based organizations to partner with us in planning this year’s Prayer on the Square. This initiative will not only be a celebration of unity but also an opportunity to tackle tough issues together — mental health, youth mentoring, community violence prevention and fostering respect across differences.
Faith leaders, your voices and your prayers are indispensable. We need you to stand with us, guide us and help us minister to the needs of our people in both spiritual and practical ways.
I am often asked, “Sheriff, what can I do to assist in making Newton County safer?” My answer is always simple: Do something where you are, with what you have, alongside those around you.
Here are a few practical ways you can begin to get involved this August:
• Establish or join a Neighborhood Watch in your community.
• Encourage your business or church to host a safety seminar with our deputies.
• Teach your children about emergency preparedness and responsible online behavior.
SHERIFF BROWN
• Be present. A caring neighbor, a watchful business owner a prayerful pastor — all are powerful forces for good.
When we each do our part, the ripple effect strengthens us all.
At the end of the day, law enforcement is not about badges or uniforms — it is about people. It is about protecting the elderly who deserve peace in their golden years. It is about keeping children safe so their dreams can grow unhindered. It is about supporting businesses that keep our county thriving. It is about walking hand in hand with faith leaders who guide us with wisdom, prayer, and spiritual light.
Let us remember that Newton County’s strength is not in its numbers, but in its unity. The Sheriff’s Office is not separate from the community — it is a part of it, and it thrives because of your partnership.
As your Sheriff, I pledge to continue serving with integrity, transparency, and compassion. But I cannot do it without you. Together, we can create a Newton County where every child feels safe walking to school, where every business feels secure opening its doors and where every congregation feels empowered to worship in peace.
Let us recommit ourselves to this shared vision. Let’s live unity, not just discuss it. Let us not just hope for safety but build it. Let us not just pray for change, but walk it out, side by side.
As I close this message, allow me to leave the following thoughts for your consideration and action:
True safety is not built by law enforcement alone — it is forged when citizens, businesses and faith leaders stand shoulder to shoulder, proving that unity is the strongest shield a community can ever raise.
The greatest resource Newton County has is not in its budgets or equipment, it is in the unity of its people. When we join hands across neighborhoods, businesses and houses of worship, we become a community where safety is not a hope, but a way of life.
Unity and safety are inseparable. When we walk together in trust, serve together in purpose and watch over one another in love, Newton County becomes more than a community; it becomes a family.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your trust, your support and your willingness to join hands in this important work. Newton County’s future is bright because its people are strong, caring and united. May this month bring you safety, prosperity, and peace.
Sheriff Ezell Brown
Newton County, GA
about the agency
The goal of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is “to be recognized as the kind of professional organization that values, respects, and honors the rights and dignity of the entire community. Through an abundance of collaborative efforts, the NCSO is committed to improving life in every aspect for its citizens, businesses, schools, colleges/universities and visitors.”
The Newton County Sheriff's Office is located at 15151 Alcovy Road in Covington, Georgia. From I-20, take Exit 92 onto Alcovy Road and travel north on Alcovy Road for approximately one mile and cross over Highway 142. The Sheriff's Office will be on the left.
The administrative office hours for the Newton County Sheriff's Office are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding county holidays.
The Newton County Jail is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
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NCSO TEAM TAKES 2ND PLACE AT STEAM GOLF TOURNAMENT
On August 1, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office participated in the 4th Annual Tee Up for STEAM Golf Tournament, where the agency’s team earned a 2nd place finish.
Hosted in support of local education, the tournament raises funds for scholarships benefiting graduating seniors and promotes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) initiatives within the Newton County community.
Sheriff Ezell Brown and the NCSO are honored to support events that invest in future leaders and strengthen educational opportunities for local students.
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS WELCOME STUDENTS BACK TO SCHOOL
The Newton County School Resource Officers (SROs) were all smiles as they welcomed students back to school on Monday, August 4. From friendly waves to warm greetings, our SROs were excited to see the halls come to life once again with energy and enthusiasm.
As the new school year begins, Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office extend their best wishes to all students, teachers and staff for a safe, successful and exciting year ahead. Our SROs are committed to being a visible and supportive presence on campus, helping foster a positive and safe environment for learning.
DEPUTIES COMPLETE ADVANCED ACTIVE ATTACK RESPONSE TRAINING
This month, Lt. Tony Howard, Cpl. Avery Williams and Deputy Mark Sanzo completed the 40-hour Active Attack Integrated Response (AAIR) Train-the-Trainer Course at the ALERRT Center at Texas State University.
The AAIR program is a nationally recognized, performance-level training that brings together law enforcement, fire services, tele-communicators, and EMS personnel. The goal is to strengthen coordination and communication during active attack or shooter incidents, ultimately improving victim survivability and the effectiveness of first responder efforts.
By completing this rigorous course, Lt. Howard, Cpl. Williams, and Deputy Sanzo are now equipped to educate others in Newton County, further enhancing our county’s readiness to respond to crisis situations with speed, efficiency, and teamwork. Their commitment reflects the Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing dedication to community safety and professional development.
Photo Credit: Newton County Schools
As summer winds down and a new school year begins, Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office would like to wish all the children and grandchildren of our employees a successful and exciting year ahead.
From kindergartners heading to class for the first time to high school seniors preparing for graduation, the back-to-school season is a time of fresh starts and big milestones. Many of our NCSO personnel spent the past week helping their children and grandchildren pick out school supplies, pack backpacks and finish summer assignments.
We know that balancing the responsibilities of serving our community with the demands of parenting is no easy task. We’re proud of the hardworking mothers (and mother figures), fathers (and father figures) and guardians here at NCSO who make it all happen. As their children and grandchildren begin a new chapter in the classroom, we’re cheering them on.
NCSO RECOGNIZES RSAT AND #1 DADS PROGRAM GRADUATES
On August 15, Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the graduation of 12 inmate residents from the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program and nine from the #1 Dads program. The graduation ceremony took place inside the agency’s training room.
The RSAT program offers inmate residents a chance for rehabilitation. This three-month program is specifically designed to assist individuals in building cognitive, behavioral, social, vocational and other essential skills to address substance abuse-related issues.
Sheriff Brown has emphasized the Office of the Sheriff’s commitment to rehabilitation, seeing it as crucial for individuals reintegrating into society as productive citizens. He has highlighted the months-long RSAT program as instrumental in equipping inmate residents with the necessary tools for a productive life post-incarceration.
“I recognize that helping these inmate residents succeed is not the work of one individual,” Sheriff Brown said. “It takes a collective effort to guide them through the program and support them afterward. I am grateful to my staff and facilitators for their continued dedication and commitment to giving these individuals the tools they need for a better future.”
The following inmate residents graduated from the RSAT program: Terry Jerome Dyer, Levi Maddox, Jason Lee Driver, Laquane Tabarus Stroud, Ronshay Deon Smith, Dagger Arnett Grier, Malik Abdullah Allah, James Williams Senter, Jacob Levi Allen, Ashley Nicole Armistead, Stacey Elaine Thrash and
Naviea Janae Gorman.
The NCSO partnered with Action, Inc., to provide the #1 Dads program inside the Newton County Detention Center. The #1 Dads program aims to strengthen, establish or reestablish relationships between adult fathers and their children, or fathers and their spouses/partners and their children. Through workshops, case management and job skills training, the program fosters responsible fatherhood, healthy marriage and economic stability. On August 15, the following inmate residents graduated from the #1 Dads program: Terry Jerome Dyer, Levi Maddox, Jason Lee Driver, Laquane Tabarus Stroud, Ronshay Deon Smith, Dagger Arnett Grier, Malik Abdullah Allah, James Williams Senter and Jacob Levi Allen.
Because of the jail-based programs offered in the Newton County Detention Center, the NCSO has seen a 50.6% decrease in the number of repeat offenders returning to the Detention Center since 2008. The NCSO provides more than 20 jail-based programs tailored to the needs of inmate residents housed within its facility.
NCSO CELEBRATES GRADUATION OF 2025-01 CITIZENS ACADEMY CLASS
On August 26, Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office graduated 13 students from the 2025-01 Citizens Academy Class.
The Citizens Academy, held every Tuesday evening from July 1 through August 26, offered participants an eight-week immersive experience from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This program is designed to strengthen the relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the community by educating residents on the roles, responsibilities and daily operations of local law enforcement.
Throughout the course, participants received firsthand insight into NCSO operations and the daily challenges faced by law enforcement. The program focused on enhancing observation and crime prevention skills, promoting transparency and building mutual trust between deputies and citizens. Graduates left with a deeper understanding of the mission and work of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
SHERIFF BROWN ANNOUNCES THE AGENCY’S NEWEST PROMOTION
On August 28, Sheriff Ezell Brown announced the promotion of Wesley Dickerson to the rank of Sergeant with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
Sgt. Dickerson’s dedication, hard work and continued commitment to serving the Newton County community have earned him this well-deserved recognition. His leadership and professionalism continue to set an inspiring example for his peers and the community alike.
Please join us in congratulating Sgt. Dickerson on this exciting new chapter in his career. The NCSO looks forward to seeing all he will accomplish in his new role!
SHERIFF SWEARS IN EIGHT NEWLY HIRED NCSO PERSONNEL
On August 29, Sheriff Ezell Brown administered the Oath of Office to eight newly hired Newton County Sheriff’s Office personnel. The personnel who took the Oath of Office were Deputy Sheriff Laquita Floyd, Bailiff Kenneth Scandrett, Detention Officer Ayuba Abubakari, Detention Technician Juanita Cheeks, Detention Officer Ginger Teague, Detention Officer Danny White, Information System Specialist Kyle Childers and Maintenance Technician Jake Buice.
NCSO RECOGNIZES WELDING TRAINING PROGRAM GRADUATES
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office, with its continual partnership with Action, Inc., graduated 11 inmate residents from the Welding Training Program on Aug. 29, 2025.
The 11 inmate residents who graduated from the Welding Training Program were: Michael Schiermeister, Jahleel Frost, Christopher Stockhill, Kendrick Brinson, Cerontea Bowens, Marvin Dorsey, Tyqwance Cooper, Danyel Jefferson, Benjamin Coran and Darius Johnson and Sean LeForce. Through the NCSO’s Workforce Development Office, the inmate residents have the opportunity to become employed upon release from the Newton County Detention Center. The starting pay rate for the field of welding begins at $18-22/hour, and there are no caps on the pay welders can receive for their work.
“I am grateful for not only the continued partnership the Office of the Sheriff has with Action, Inc. but for the positive opportunities provided to the inmate residents housed in our facility,” said Sheriff Ezell Brown. “The programs we offer to the inmate residents housed in the Newton County Detention Center provide the skills and training needed to return to society as law-abiding citizens. I congratulate every one of our graduates for completing the Welding Training Program. Also, I thank all those who provided support and encouragement to these graduates during the last few weeks. They couldn’t have done it without you.”
The inmate residents had the opportunity to participate in the American Welding Society’s Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) Sheet Metal tests following the end of the program’s course. The WPS Sheet Metal tests are administered by an AWS Certified Welding Inspector
(CWI) and graded on the following: a visual inspection of the welding coupon and a “bend test,” which tests the integrity of the welded coupon.
Additionally, the graduates received training certifications for the following: Welding, OHSA 10, Forklift Operator/Safety, Lean Six Sigma White Belt, CPR/First Aid/AED, Soft Skills, and Employability Ethics.
WELCOME Newly Hired Employees
Kenneth Scandrett Deputy Sheriff, Bailiff Laquita Floyd Deputy Sheriff, School Resource Officer
Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office welcome you!
