Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office

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

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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.
County officials install one of the new digital speed signs in downtown Lexington last week. (Submitted Photo)

County officials install one of the new digital speed signs in downtown Lexington last week. (Submitted Photo)

Speed signs in place

Kennedy Lewis
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Speeding drivers is a primary concern of Oglethorpe County officials.    So, the sheriff’s office has taken a step toward remedying the issue by installing nine digital speed signs throughout the county — with more to come.
Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin Wright’s patrol SUV is at the county maintenance shop after last week’s single-car accident on Arnoldsville Road. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin Wright’s patrol SUV is at the county maintenance shop after last week’s single-car accident on Arnoldsville Road. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

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Deputy is stable after auto accident

Bobby Andrews
Friday, October 28, 2022
An Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office deputy was injured in a single-car accident on Arnoldsville Road, about one-half mile from the intersection with Grove Chapel Church Road, last week, 911 director James Jackson said.
(Submitted Photo/Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office) GBI artist Kelly Lawson met with the victim of a reported home invasion in Winterville to produce this sketch of the suspect.

(Submitted Photo/Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office) GBI artist Kelly Lawson met with the victim of a reported home invasion in Winterville to produce this sketch of the suspect.

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GBI sketch leads to 4 suspects in Winterville home invasion

Emily Garcia
Friday, September 9, 2022
Three weeks after a reported home invasion in Winterville, the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office is looking into the alibis of four potential suspects: a result of a recent forensic sketch.
Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Samantha Mathe, right, was part of a group that checked child booster seats at the primary school. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Samantha Mathe, right, was part of a group that checked child booster seats at the primary school. (Submitted Photo)

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Groups, Sheriff’s Office provides car safety seats to OCPS parents

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Samantha Mathe, members of the Department of Public Health and Safe Kids Athens conducted child safety seat checks at Oglethorpe County Primary School during the first week of school.
Law enforcement officers surround Taran Allen, who was taken to a local hospital after a high-speed chase ended with him crashing in a Lexington yard. (Photo/Tom Thon)

Law enforcement officers surround Taran Allen, who was taken to a local hospital after a high-speed chase ended with him crashing in a Lexington yard. (Photo/Tom Thon)

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High-speed chase ends in Oglethorpe County

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, August 11, 2022
A high-speed chase through two counties ended when a car driven by an Elbert County resident flipped several times and crashed in a front yard in Lexington on Aug. 3.

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Motorcycle joins sheriff’s office, makes quick impact

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, June 30, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office’s new motorcycle helped make a traffic stop before it officially reported for duty.    Sheriff David Gabriel said he was driving the motorcycle back from being repainted and was behind a woman who was swerving into oncoming traffic.
Oglethorpe County coroner and 911 director James "Junior" Jackson has had many jobs and titles throughout his career in law enforcement and public service. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Oglethorpe County coroner and 911 director James "Junior" Jackson has had many jobs and titles throughout his career in law enforcement and public service. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Jack(son) of all trades

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, June 23, 2022
James Jackson answers to many names.    There's his given name. And then there's "Captain." But most folks know him as "Junior."   And if it’s possible, his many jobs and passions outnumber his names.
Steve Jones, a sergeant with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office, has worked in law enforcement for 30 years, and has lived in Oglethorpe County all his life. He has made the difficult decision to retire due to his health. (Photo/Lilly Kersh)

Steve Jones, a sergeant with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office, has worked in law enforcement for 30 years, and has lived in Oglethorpe County all his life. He has made the difficult decision to retire due to his health. (Photo/Lilly Kersh)

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‘That's what Oglethorpe’s about’

Lilly Kersh
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Steve Jones loves his family, hunting, fishing and his community. Born and raised in Oglethorpe County, his 30 years in law enforcement are a testament to his love for the place he grew up.