Newton County Sheriff’s Office received gifts for all employees during the Christmas holidays from Stephanie Lindsey (Lindsey Law Firm). It is nice to know the businesses in Newton County truly appreciate our deputies who faithfully serve and protect our citizens. We would like to extend a gracious thank you to Attorney Stephanie Lindsey and the Lindsey Law Firm for thinking about our deputies during this time of the year.

COVINGTON — On Nov. 19, Sgt. Cortney Morrison and Cpl. Colin Cunningham were on patrol. Around 11:00 a.m., they responded to a call at the North Fork Convenience Store because a woman was choking.

When they arrived, they found an older woman sitting in the driver’s seat and choking, not able to communicate. Sgt. Morrison noted in her report seeing half-eaten chicken livers on the ground by the vehicle.

Morrison grabbed the victim’s arm and helped her get out of the car. Morrison then began performing the Heimlich maneuver on the woman. She completed several abdominal thrusts and was able to dislodge a little bit of the food, but not all of it.

Morrison told Cunningham to try, as he had more upper body strength. Cunningham took over the Heimlich maneuver and after a couple of thrusts, with Morrison hitting the woman’s back with her hand, the rest of the food was dislodged.

The victim was able to breathe and communicate, but seemed a little disoriented. The deputies stayed with her until EMS arrived and examined her. She was not transported to the hospital.

Sheriff Ezell Brown said the actions of his deputies make him proud to know their willingness to go beyond the call of duty.

In September 2015, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) was one of only three agencies in Georgia to receive a Department of Justice body worn camera grant.
The grant requires applicants establish a strong implementation plan, long term audio storage plan (including the cost of storing data) and a strong training policy before purchasing cameras. Part of the implementation plan and training program is to establish a team of stakeholders from outside the agency to participate in the policy development, and continue to have input throughout the process.
 
Over the course of this year, NCSO developed a Body Worn Camera Committee consisting of members from all divisions within the agency, and a team of stakeholders from outside the agency.  Together, the committee completed and submitted a rough draft policy to the Department of Justice for approval.
 
The policy was approved, and on August 20, 2016 a community forum was held at Turner Lake Complex to discuss the cameras for the agency, the policy and any concerns or questions.  The cameras chosen were Axon Body Cameras and Axon Flex Point of View Camera, both distributed by TASER International, Inc.

In December, NCSO received the body worn cameras. Agency training began immediately and after personnel successfully completed the training, cameras were approved for use in the field.

The training division and division commanders are continuously accepting detailed feedback from deputies and welcome feedback from citizens as well. 

The Newton County Sheriff's Office hosted the 18th Annual Toy Ride on December 10, 2016 to raise funds and toys during the Christmas Holiday for families in need.  The local community and abroad showed tremendous support.

We are appreciative for the loyalty, and inspired by the dedication and generosity of all donors who answered the call to give again and again.

Sheriff Ezell Brown states, “The Newton County Sheriff’s Office could not make a difference in the community without each of you.  The contributions made through this program has serviced so many families and children each year. I am proud to live and work in Newton County, where the citizens truly have a charitable heart. Words cannot express my gratitude for your contribution. From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank you for making the sacrifice for our children in need”.

Thanks to the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chi Tau Omega Chapter, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and the men of Covington Area Alumni Kappas for filling our Angel Tree with more than 250 seasonal wraps. This gesture warmed the hearts and bodies of the children and families that visited our inmates.

NCSO lost one of our own outstanding deputies in the line of duty on November 15, 2016 from injuries sustained in an accident on October 30, 2016.

Deputy White had been employed with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office since 2012, initially working in the Detention Center.  In March 2015, he transferred to the patrol division.

We would like to take the time to express our most heartfelt appreciation for the many cards, flowers, phone calls, letters, food and donations received from you. There was a need, you were there to help, and we are truly grateful. During the time of losing a loved one is never an easy process. However, your concern for the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the White family assisted in carrying that heavy burden.