Meet the Sheriff

Facebook

Will resides in Liberty County with his wife and five children. He graduated from Gordon High School and attended Central Texas College.

4 Liberty County sheriff candidates seek to oust incumbent

Will has over 15 years of law enforcement experience, having served as a Georgia State Trooper. He served in the United States Army as a drill sergeant. Bowman has received numerous military awards and decorations for outstanding service including the Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.

Will Bowman currently serves as Sheriff of Liberty County. He was elected to the position in 2020, and has served one term.

Worked to bring the CHAMPS (Choosing Healthy Alternatives and Methods Promoting Safety) program to local schools.

Wants to have more officers on patrol and more school resource officers in schools.

Recognized by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) group for outstanding support.

- Worked to bring the CHAMPS (Choosing Healthy Alternatives and Methods Promoting Safety) program to local schools.
- Wants to have more officers on patrol and more school resource officers in schools.
- Recognized by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) group for outstanding support.

Public Safety

Advocates for improved jail conditions, leading to more efficient use of tax dollars.

- Advocates for improved jail conditions, leading to more efficient use of tax dollars.

Jail Management

As of April 23, 2024, Will Bowman did not have a website or any information online.

Criminal Justice

Will Bowman

LinkedIn

Gary graduated from the Bradwell Institute. He resides in Liberty County with his wife, Tina, and two children.

Gary currently works as a deputy for the Bryan County Sheriff's Office. He previously worked with the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Federal Correctional Institute, and the Hinesville Police Department. Prior to his career in law enforcement, Eason served in the United States Air Force and Georgia Air National Guard.

Gary Eason's campaign for County Sheriff is his first run for public office.

Supports bringing professionalism and trust to the Sheriff's office.

- Supports bringing professionalism and trust to the Sheriff's office.

As of April 23, 2024, Gary Eason’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Gary Eason

Gary Richardson was born and raised in Hinesville, Liberty County. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Juris Masters in American Legal Studies, both from Liberty University. 

Gary Richardson has experience working in law enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff with the Liberty County Sheriff's Department and as a Police Sergeant with the Georgia Ports Authority. 

This is Gary Richardson's first entry into politics.

Candidate website

Plans to enhance Liberty County's safety and family-friendliness as Sheriff, ensuring efficient, cost-effective law enforcement, fiscal responsibility, and citizen accessibility, leveraging local upbringing and experience.

Wants to enhance Liberty County's safety and family-friendliness as Sheriff, ensuring efficient, cost-effective law enforcement, fiscal responsibility, and citizen accessibility. 

Said, "Fairness. We will consistently treat everyone fairly, impartially, and compassionately. We will be mindful of our duty to preserve equality and diversity."

Emphasizes treating residents with fairness and impartiality. 

- Wants to enhance Liberty County's safety and family-friendliness as Sheriff, ensuring efficient, cost-effective law enforcement, fiscal responsibility, and citizen accessibility. 
- Emphasizes treating residents with fairness and impartiality. 

Plans to evaluate jail conditions with personal, and plans to renovate the facility, and enhance the food services for inmates, and try to foster a less hostile prison environment.

- Plans to evaluate jail conditions with personal, and plans to renovate the facility, and enhance the food services for inmates, and try to foster a less hostile prison environment.

As of April 23, 2024, Gary Richardson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Twitter

Gary Richardson

As of May 10, 2024, Keith Jenkins did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

LCSOs Jenkins promoted to captain

Keith Jenkins stops by to talk about helping the youth, prison reform, running for sheriff and more

Keith served as a deputy, instructor, and jailor with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office for a combined 30 years. He also served in the Army and as a karate black belt and instructor. 

Ballotpedia: Keith Jenkins

Keith Jenkins previously served as a city-councilman for District 4, and as interim mayor for Hinesville, Georgia. 

Supports fostering positive relationships with local community, especially kids, saying "“I practice community policing, getting out, getting with the kids, I buy ‘em ice cream and stuff..."

- Supports fostering positive relationships with local community, especially kids, saying "“I practice community policing, getting out, getting with the kids, I buy ‘em ice cream and stuff..."

Plans to install a prison reform in Liberty County, as he mentioned incarceration should be considered "a last resort." 

- Plans to install a prison reform in Liberty County, as he mentioned incarceration should be considered "a last resort." 

As of April 23, 2024, Keith Jenkins did not have a website or any information online.

Keith Jenkins

As of May 13, 2024, Kevin Hofkin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kevin co-owns Halfmoon Marina. Previously, he worked as a deputy for the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. Before his career in law enforcement, he owned and operated three restaurant locations in Richmond Hill and managed a Goodyear store.

Kevin Hofkin's campaign for County Sheriff is his first run for public office. 

Supports mental health awareness training for staff.

Promises to improve the connection between the Sheriff's Office and community members.

Plans to improve transparency by sharing relevant information on crime, civil issues, and Liberty County Sheriff’s Office operations.

Plans to partner with other county, state, and federal agencies to identify issues and provide meaningful solutions.

- Supports mental health awareness training for staff.
- Promises to improve the connection between the Sheriff's Office and community members.
- Plans to improve transparency by sharing relevant information on crime, civil issues, and Liberty County Sheriff’s Office operations.
- Plans to partner with other county, state, and federal agencies to identify issues and provide meaningful solutions.

Promises to pursue greater fiscal responsibility with the office's budget.

- Promises to pursue greater fiscal responsibility with the office's budget.

As of April 23, 2024, Kevin Hofkin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kevin Hofkin

The County Sheriff is an elected official who acts as the chief law enforcement officer in their county. They are tasked with operating the county jails, keeping courtrooms secure during trials, and keeping the public safe through proper law enforcement. Each Sheriff's Office in Georgia may look a little different in how they hire and run their teams, but all County Sheriffs have the same duties. These duties include the following:

- Operating the county jail
- Providing court security
- Serving civil papers
- Executing arrest warrants
- Providing primary law enforcement within unincorporated areas of the county
- Working with city law enforcement officers to keep municipalities safe

The County Sheriff and their office are unique to other law enforcement agencies in that it has to answer to the people it serves. Historically, a turnover in the Sheriff’s office will likely result in noticeable change within the office, so voting for this office is a very effective way to vote approval or disapproval for how county law enforcement is conducted.