Press Releases
September 11, 2001 was the largest single loss of life among police officers in one day in our history. Gordon County Sheriff’s Office honors their memory, and the memory of all Americans who lost their lives on that day.
NEVER FORGET 🇺🇸
GOD BLESS AMERICA.
The GBI held a dedication ceremony in Calhoun to celebrate our new Regional Investigative Office, officially named in honor of former Director Vernon Keenan.
The Vernon M. Keenan Office will serve 12 northwest Georgia counties — the same region where Director Keenan began his career.
It was a special day made even brighter by the many agents from across Georgia, members of law enforcement, and the community who came together to show their support.
GBI Opens New Regional Office Here, Sheriff Attends Dedication Ceremony;
Monday, September 8…
On Friday, September 5th, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) opened the new Region 1 Field Office here in Calhoun. Sheriff Ralston attended the dedication ceremony along with a large number of other guests.
The building was named after retired GBI Director Vernon M. Keenan, who was also the Special Agent in Charge of the regional office here for many years.
Sheriff Ralston said, “ My Office has always enjoyed a close, working relationship with our colleagues in the GBI and we’re pleased that they have this wonderful, new facility.”
Photos:
1. (left to right) GBI Director Chris Hosey, Deputy Director (and Gordon County native) Scott Dutton, Sheriff Mitch Ralston, and Chief Deputy Robert Paris.
2. Former GBI Director Vernon Keenan (left) and Sheriff Mitch Ralston (right).
CAR CRASHES INTO CHURCH
Friday, September 5th, 2025
8:40pm
Deputy sheriffs and other first responders are on scene at Newtown Baptist Church where a passenger car has crashed into the building. The driver hasn’t been located yet.
DEFENDANT IN FATAL CRASH ON AUGUST 23 IDENTIFIED, CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE, NOW IN GORDON COUNTY JAIL…
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
The driver of a car which crashed head on into a Dade County family on the Rome Road after fleeing from law officers on August 23 has been returned to Gordon County from Tennessee. MATTHEW ALLEN PICKENS, age 44, of 324 Cherokee Drive, Calhoun, was taken into custody yesterday by Hamilton County Tennessee Sheriff’s officials after being released from Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.
This morning, PICKENS waived extradition and was transported to the Gordon County Jail where he was booked on charges of Homicide By Vehicle, Serious Injury By Vehicle, Fleeing & Eluding Officers, and a host of other traffic related offenses. The release of his identity was delayed due to his hospitalization in intensive care.
PICKENS has been in the Gordon County Jail on three previous occasions, in 2020, 2022, and 2023, each time for traffic related offenses. The fatal crash on August 23 was investigated by the State Patrol, who filed the charges against PICKENS.
SHERIFF RALSTON RECOGNIZES ACTS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE..
Sunday, August 31, 2025
At the monthly Sheriff’s Auxiliary Luncheon on Friday, August 29, Sheriff Mitch Ralston recognized 3 GCSO staff members and a Bartow County Firefighter for outstanding work.
Bartow County Fire/Rescue Lieutenant Matthew Atkins received a Distinguished Service Cross for the rescue of a trapped motorist at Cedar Creek on August 3rd.
Deputy Owen Towe and Jailor A.R. Kinsey both received Meritorious Service Medals for lifesaving when they successfully rendered medical aid to a choking inmate on August 10th.
Deputy Gavin Phillips received a Commendation Medal for effecting a number of drug trafficking and weapons arrests.
Left Photo(left to right): Sheriff Mitch Ralston, Deputy Gavin Phillips, Chief Deputy Robert Paris.
Right (upper)Photo (left to right) Sheriff Mitch Ralston, Lieutenant Matthew Atkins, Chief Deputy Robert Paris.
Right (lower)Photo (left to right): Sheriff Mitch Ralston, Jailer A.R. Kinsey, Chief Deputy Robert Paris, Deputy Owen Towe.
SHERIFF’S STAFF COMPLETES C.P.R./FIRST AID TRAINING:
Thursday, August 28th
Sheriff Mitch Ralston is pleased to announce that the Sheriff’s Office’ s entire Enforcement and Jail staff have successfully completed Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid Training.
The Sheriff requires all Enforcement and Jail personnel to undergo this training annually, which
is provided by the GCSO staff instructors, and includes the proper usage of AED defibrillator devices.
Sheriff Ralston invites any group or organization who wishes to undergo this training to reach out to his training staff at 706-879-5491 or 706-879-5568, or email amy.ivey@gordoncountyga.gov
Photo (left to right): Lieutenant Brian Sitton, Patrol Division, Detective Corey Childers, Detective Division, Lieutenant Chad Stafford, Training Director, Jailor Danielle Pettyjohn, Jail Division, and Ms. Amy Ivey, Staff Instructor.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
At about 2:40pm today (August 23) a deputy sheriff was on I-75 South Bound at the Exit 317 entrance ramp when a Mercedes automobile passed his patrol car, nearly striking it. The deputy followed the car, which was driving erratically, making rapid lane changes, to Exit 312 (Fairmount Highway). When the deputy attempted to stop the Mercedes, the driver aggressively sped away at a high rate of speed, initiating a pursuit. The deputy, soon joined by other deputies, pursued the Mercedes east on Fairmount Highway to the intersection with the State Route 53 Bypass near Blackwood. The violator turned onto the Bypass and continued fleeing back toward Calhoun, with deputies giving chase. The violator drove at speeds well in excess of 100 miles per hour, recklessly outpacing the deputies, until he reached the intersection of the Bypass and State Route 53/Rome Road
At this intersection the violator recklessly, irresponsibly, and in total disregard for the safety of any other person, made the decision to cross the roadway and drive the wrong way into oncoming (westbound) traffic. The deputies did not pursue the violator into the oncoming traffic. Within a few seconds, the violator struck a Honda CRV head on. One occupant was killed and two others severely injured. The deputies immediately began attempting to remove the injured from the cars, both of which were burning, and administering first aid.
Fire/Rescue and Emergency Medical Service personnel arrived swiftly to extricate and treat the injured. Three persons were airlifted away by heliborne ambulance. The violator, himself severely hurt, has not been positively identified.
The Georgia State Patrol is conducting the investigation of the crash, in conjunction with the County Coroner.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Monday, August 18, 2025-
Sheriff’s Jailers Save Choking Inmate With ‘Heimlich Maneuver’
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
On Sunday evening, August 10, Jailers on duty in the jail booking office observed an inmate in a holding cell choking on a piece of food and unable to breathe. The two jailers, Deputy O.L. Towe and Jailer A.R. Kinsey, immediately rushed to the inmate’s aid and administered the life saving “Heimlich Maneuver”, successfully dislodging the food fragment, and restoring his ability to breathe.
Sheriff Ralston said, “I am extremely proud of these two employees for their calmness in an emergency situation , their attention to their duties, and their swift action which saved a man from serious bodily harm or death.”
"All employees of the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office undergo annual certification in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver."
“Yesterday was a very difficult day for Georgia law enforcement. Four officers were shot in three incidents across the state. The thoughts and prayers of myself and my staff are with the loved ones of the three wounded officers, and most especially with the loved ones of Dekalb County Officer David Rose who gave the last, full measure for those he served, laying down his life at Emory University yesterday. Please remember those who put on badges, guns, and body armor every day and night to keep our communities safe. God Bless and Keep Them.”
Sheriff Mitch Ralston
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