January 2025

NCSO january 2025 newsletter

JANUARY 2024

A MOMENT WITH SERVING WITH COURAGE, PROTECTING WITH HONOR As I reflect on January 9th, I am reminded of the significance this day holds for those who wear the badge and the communities they serve. On National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and every day thereafter, I am grateful to the men and women of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Newton County for their continued support.

To the citizens of Newton County, your trust and partnership are the foundation of our mission. Together, we build stronger neighborhoods, foster open dialogue, and address challenges with resilience and unity.

Your prayers, encouragement, and acts of kindness— from heartfelt “thank you” to organizing community events—uplift every team member and remind us of the purpose behind our calling.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is also a day to honor our colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their legacy is a reminder of the cost of our commitment and inspires us to pursue excellence in their memory. Reflecting on their contributions, we recommit ourselves to serving with integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication.

In recent years, law enforcement has faced unparalleled scrutiny, presenting challenges but also growth opportunities. At the NCSO, we embrace this moment as a chance to listen, learn, and lead with transparency and accountability. These principles are not just ideals but essential pillars of ethical and effective policing.

Strengthening community relationships remains at the heart of our mission. Initiatives like community policing, youth outreach programs, and public safety forums are vital to fostering trust and collaboration. By working together, we can create an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and protected.

To the people of Newton County, I urge you to see the humanity behind the badge. Each deputy, investigator,

and administrative staff member is a son, daughter, parent, or friend, united by a shared commitment to serve and protect. Your support and understanding provide us with the strength to face the demands of this profession.

Looking ahead, we are committed to innovation, growth, and unity. From addressing mental health crises to countering evolving criminal tactics, we will equip our personnel with the training, technology, and resources needed to meet these challenges head-on. Yet, our greatest asset remains our people. To my team, I challenge you to strive for excellence, seek professional development, and remember the values that guide us.

Every interaction, no matter how small, is an opportunity to make a lasting positive impact.

To our community, I encourage your continued engagement. Attend our events, provide feedback, and join us in continuing to shape a safer, more inclusive Newton County. Together, we can continue to build a future where everyone feels secure and empowered.

As we look forward from National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day into the years ahead, let us reflect on our shared journey and the milestones we have achieved together. To my team, your sacrifices and successes embody the spirit of service, and it is an honor to lead alongside you. To the citizens of Newton County, your trust is the cornerstone of our work, and we thank you for allowing us to serve you.

Sheriff Ezell Brown Newton County, Ga.

SHERIFF BROWN REFLECTING ON 2024: NCSO’S YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024

MARCH 2024

APRIL 2024

MAY 2024

JUNE 2024

JULY 2024

AUGUST 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024

OCTOBER 2024

NOVEMBER 2024

DECEMBER 2024

January: Sheriff attended the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

July: NCSO earned Office of Sheriff Accreditation Program (OSAP)

February: NCSO attends 1st Annual Literacy Extravaganza, Feb. 3

August: NCSO participated in National Night Out, Aug. 6

at Newton High, Jan. 14

March: NCSO hosted a tabletop exercise for emergency responders, March 13

April: NCSO hosted FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership Training, April 8-12

May: NCSO attended “A Night To Remember,” May 3

June: NCSO escorted the Second Line Saturday march, June 8

accreditation

September: NCSO hosts Bi-Annual Law Enforcement and Faith Leaders Summit, Sept. 12

October: Sheriff attends Grits and Grace at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Oct. 14

November: NCSO hosts annual Toy Ride, Nov. 16

December: NCSO hosts annual Sheriff’s Guardian Angels, Dec. 19-21

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.

agency ’ s contact numbers 678-625-1403 SHERIFF’S SECRETARY 678-625-1401 JAIL INFORMATION 678-625-1420 JAIL FAX 678-625-1450 INVESTIGATIONS 678-625-1412 INVESTIGATION FAX 678-625-1451 PATROL UNIT 678-625-1410 TRAFFIC UNIT 678-625-1469 WARRANT UNIT 678-625-1411 WEST SIDE PRECINCT 770-788-7812 EAST SIDE PRECINCT 770-243-8227 TIP LINE 678-625-5007

GENERAL INFORMATION

Scan the QR code to download our app today! @newtonsheriffga

NCSO CONDUCTS VEHICLE CHECKPOINTS TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY On Dec. 31, 2024, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Georgia State Patrol and the Covington Police Department, conducted countywide vehicle checkpoints from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. to reduce impaired driving and promote road safety.

The vehicle checkpoints resulted in the following statistics: 8 arrests, 39 citations issued, 2 warrant arrests, 7 warnings issued and 7 DUI arrests.

Sheriff Ezell Brown emphasized the importance of these vehicle checkpoints, stating: “The safety of our community is our top priority. This coordinated effort demonstrates the dedication of our deputies and partner agencies to ensuring Newton County’s roads remain safe for all drivers. By addressing impaired driving and other violations, we are working to protect lives and prevent tragedies.”

Sheriff Brown and the NCSO appreciate the collaborative efforts of all participating agencies and thank the community for their cooperation.

NCSO HELPS FAMILIES IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HELENE

Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office are proud to announce a successful community outreach initiative that provided relief to four families in Clyde, NC, affected by Hurricane Helene. Through the generosity of NCSO employees and local businesses, essential items and holiday cheer were delivered to those in need during the holiday season.

The NCSO collected non-perishable canned food for a Thanksgiving meal, hot hands, socks, hats, blankets, gift cards and personal hygiene items for four impacted families. In addition, four children were adopted by the NCSO, receiving gifts including toys, clothes, coats and candy to fulfill their Christmas wish lists.

All donations were transported to New Covenant Church in Clyde, NC, by NCSO Captain Marty Roberts and Deputy Sharron Stewart where they were distributed to the families.

“It is heartwarming to witness the selflessness of our community coming together to help those who have been through so much,” said Brown. “We are grateful to everyone who contributed and made this initiative a success.”

Sheriff Brown provides a special thanks to the NCSO employees who donated generously, as well as to Walmart on Salem Road in Covington, GA, and Walmart in Madison, GA, for their support. Without their efforts, this outreach would not have been possible.

NEWTON COUNTY TAKES ACTION AHEAD OF WINTER STORM CORA On Jan. 8-9, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with local public safety teams and county officials, gathered for a briefing with the U.S. National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia. The detailed information provided during these briefings was instrumental in guiding the county’s preparations for Winter Storm Cora.

As Winter Storm Cora passed through early Friday morning, Feb. 10, the NCSO remained vigilant, working closely with local public safety teams to monitor conditions, respond to emergencies and support affected citizens. The collaborative planning efforts highlighted the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community during severe weather events.

SHERIFF BROWN SWEARS IN NEWLY-HIRED DEPUTY SHERIFF On Jan. 7, Sheriff Ezell Brown administered the Oath of Office to one newly-hired employee during a ceremony held inside the Newton Couny Sheriff’s Office Training Room. The employee who took the Oath of Office was Deputy Jason Miles.

WINTER STORM CORA BRINGS RARE SNOWFALL TO NEWTON COUNTY On Jan. 10, Winter Storm Cora brought a rare and stunning blanket of snow to Newton County, marking the first snowfall in years. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office team captured these stunning moments, and they are excited to share them with the community.

Shared By: NCSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID)

Shared By: Finance Director Ruben Brambila

Shared By: Investigator Joshua Hicks

Shared By: Detention Tech T. Palonmino

Shared By: Deputy John Restivo

Shared By: Detention Tech Wendy Hewell

Shared By: Investigator Jamie Green

Shared By: Sgt. Jocelyn Detweiler

Shared By: CID Transcriptionist Karen Kenney

Shared By: Deputy Shanta Garrett

Shared By: Communications Officer Caitlin Jett

NEWTON ELECTRIC SUPPLY DONATES TO DEPUTIES WHO CARE FUND Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office extend their gratitude to Newton Electric Supply for their generous donation to the Deputies Who Care Fund this month. Their support plays an important role in helping the Sheriff’s Office make a positive impact in the lives of those who live in Newton County.

The Deputies Who Care Fund serves as a beacon of hope and support, enabling the Sheriff’s Office to assist individuals and families in times of need. Donations like this not only provide financial assistance but also strengthen the bond between the Sheriff’s Office and the community it serves.

SHERIFF JOINS COMMUNITY AT ANNUAL MLK HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE On Sunday, Jan. 19, Sheriff Ezell Brown joined in the 40th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance at Newton High School, where he participated in the MLK Interdenominational Choir.

The annual ceremony, a celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, featured a diverse range of commemorative organizations and performances that made the event memorable.

This year, the MLK Interdenominational Choir was joined by the Newton High School Sound Factory, Anointed to Dance and the Washington Street Children’s Choir.

Photo Credit: Michael Bandoo

NCSO STAYS RESILIENT DURING HAZARDOUS SECOND WINTER STORM On Jan. 21, Newton County faced its second winter storm, creating hazardous driving conditions throughout the community. Over the span of two days, deputies responded to 68 weather-related accidents while continuing to serve and protect residents.

Sheriff Ezell Brown extends his heartfelt gratitude to the men and women of the Office of the Sheriff for their tireless dedication and unwavering commitment in keeping the community safe during the storm.

NCSO SPONSORS GOERING AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WINTER GAMES This month, Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office announced their sponsorship of Cole Goering as he represents Special Olympics USA in Alpine Skiing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.

As a proud sponsor, the Sheriff’s Office recognizes the importance of celebrating athletes like Cole, who embody the values of determination and community. The Office of the Sheriff stands with Cole as he prepares to exhibit his remarkable talents on the world stage and wish him the best of luck at the Winter Games in Turin!

NCSO HOSTS SCENT PRESERVATION KIT TRAINING SESSIONS The Newton County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Scent Evidence K9 and Newton County School System Special Education Director Brooke Dial, hosted a series of Scent Preservation Kit training sessions from Jan. 28-30, 2025, at both the Sheriff’s Office and Palmer Stone Elementary School.

These sessions provided valuable insights into the use of the Scent Preservation Kit, a tool that enables the pre-collection and long-term preservation of an individual’s unique scent, which can be stored for up to 10 years. This critical resource equips K-9 units with uncontaminated scent articles to aid in the swift and efficient location of missing persons.

The training sessions, which were attended by first responders, clinicians, educators and concerned family members, gave participants essential knowledge on how to collect, store, and preserve scents. The training empowers community members to improve response times and enhance search efforts for vulnerable individuals in Newton County. About 150 free kits were distributed to the community during the sessions, further enhancing local resources.

“This training represents a critical step in ensuring the safety of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Sheriff Ezell Brown. “By equipping our community with the tools and knowledge needed to quickly locate missing individuals, we can make a significant impact on reducing injuries and fatalities in our area.”

This partnership with Scent Evidence K9 and the NCSS Special Education follows the recent award of a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The grant, part of the FY24 Kevin and Avonte Program, enabled the Sheriff’s Office to acquire K-9 Petra, a scent-discriminate tracking canine, and implement the Bringing the Lost Home project. The project aims to reduce the number of injuries and deaths among individuals who wander from safe environments due to conditions like autism, dementia, or Alzheimer’s, making the community safer for all. The grant will also allow the NCSO to provide free Scent Evidence Kits to the Newton County community, as well as provide funding for training for K-9 Petra and her handler.

To receive a free Scent Evidence Kit, contact Captain Marty Roberts by emailing mroberts@newtonsheriffga.org or calling 770-221-2926.

WELCOME Newly Hired Employees Kendrick Exum

Devon Williams

Roosevelt Winters

Dana Maddox

Detention Officer

Detention Technician

Detention Officer

Deputy Sheriff, Certified

Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office welcome you!

COMMITMENT loyalty

sacrifice dedication

www.newtonsheriffga.org www.newtonsheriffga.org