Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office

David Charles Cheek, Tim Cheek’s son, was photographed in his grandfather’s uniform at Halloween one year. Tim Cheek said Charles was his dad’s name. (Submitted Photo)

David Charles Cheek, Tim Cheek’s son, was photographed in his grandfather’s uniform at Halloween one year. Tim Cheek said Charles was his dad’s name. (Submitted Photo)

A man ‘full of hope’

Elizabeth Kim
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Tim Cheek still recalls with great clarity the afternoon that he lost his father. His family had a less-than-pleasant lunch in their Crawford home that August day in 1995.
Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel stands in the area that will be a temporary animal holding facility. A modular building also is being turned into a training facility. (Photo/Alex Perri)

Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel stands in the area that will be a temporary animal holding facility. A modular building also is being turned into a training facility. (Photo/Alex Perri)

Kennel, training room in progress at Sheriff’s Office

Alex Perri
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office continues to work on two facility upgrades that Sheriff David Gabriel said he hopes will help his office better serve the county.
Rayle EMC’s Richard Heard (left) presents a check to the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office’s Courtney Corbin and Shae Peek for a car seat program. The money was used to purchase car seats for county residents. (Submitted Photo)

Rayle EMC’s Richard Heard (left) presents a check to the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office’s Courtney Corbin and Shae Peek for a car seat program. The money was used to purchase car seats for county residents. (Submitted Photo)

Car seat technicians provide free service to residents

Frankie Hennessy
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Dispatcher Shae Peek said an experience with her family led her to find more resources for car seats in Oglethorpe County.  “My sister has a daughter, and my sister could never (install a car seat) properly and correctly,” Peek said. “And she always had troubles with it.
A “No Thru Trucks” sign is attached to this county limits sign on Parkview Road, indicating that large trucks are not allowed to drive there. Similar signs will be posted on roads impacted by the new ordinance, passed by the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners on May 5. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

A “No Thru Trucks” sign is attached to this county limits sign on Parkview Road, indicating that large trucks are not allowed to drive there. Similar signs will be posted on roads impacted by the new ordinance, passed by the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners on May 5. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

More county roads off limits to big trucks

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
A new truck ordinance is in effect following the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners meeting last week.
Work continues on the temporary animal impoundment facility at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office. The kennels are waiting on plumbing before the concrete will be poured. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Work continues on the temporary animal impoundment facility at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office. The kennels are waiting on plumbing before the concrete will be poured. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Impoundment facility held up by plumbing

Zach Leggio
Thursday, May 8, 2025
The temporary animal impoundment facility at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office remains a work in progress. The Sheriff’s Office has been working to build a concrete slab, two runs, five kennels with drainage and a cover since last September.
Sheriff David Gabriel stares out over the lower pond within his backyard in Winterville, Georgia on Monday, March 17, 2025. For someone with such a high-stress occupation, a relaxing environment to come home to is essential. “Listen to the water, breeze blowing. The breeze always blows here, you know. Sit there and watch the fish, you know. Just watch them move around the water. It's just natural, you know,” Gabriel said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Sheriff David Gabriel stares out over the lower pond within his backyard in Winterville, Georgia on Monday, March 17, 2025. For someone with such a high-stress occupation, a relaxing environment to come home to is essential. “Listen to the water, breeze blowing. The breeze always blows here, you know. Sit there and watch the fish, you know. Just watch them move around the water. It's just natural, you know,” Gabriel said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

At peace with his fish

Julianna Duennes Russ
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Sheriff David Gabriel sits in the shade of his backyard patio, his uniform crisp and his gun in its holster. A 180-pound cane corso named Biggs drools at his feet, while two much smaller dogs nestle into his lap.
Oglethorpe County 911 dispatcher Amelia Priest surveys her workstation at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Department on Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo/Zeke Palermo)

Oglethorpe County 911 dispatcher Amelia Priest surveys her workstation at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Department on Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo/Zeke Palermo)

New 911 tech allows texts, video

Zeke Palermo
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Residents can now text 911 when they need emergency services. Oglethorpe County 911 has joined 33 other public safety answering points in Georgia that accept and communicate with residents through text message, in addition to the traditional phone call.
Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel speaks to residents concerning safety techniques in the event of an emergency Jan. 21 at St. John's Ame Church. Sheriff Gabriel has been in law enforcement since 1993. Sydney Bishop/The Oglethorpe Echo

Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel speaks to residents concerning safety techniques in the event of an emergency Jan. 21 at St. John's Ame Church. Sheriff Gabriel has been in law enforcement since 1993. Sydney Bishop/The Oglethorpe Echo

Sheriff gives safety tips at program

Sydney Bishop
Thursday, January 26, 2023
WATCH: Sheriff Gabriel's Safety Program at St. John AME Church    Nineteen residents gathered in St. John AME Church on Saturday to ask Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel about safety and crime, especially how it relates to a church setting.