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Thomasville Times-Enterprise, SHERIFF'S ELECTION: Blackburn: A year of change, moving forward

Joey is married and has three children and one grandchild with another on the way. He attends First Newark Baptist Church. Blackburn graduated from Thomas County Central High School and received an associate degree from Thomas University. He lives in Thomas County.

Joey has over 33 years of law enforcement experience. He achieved a general instructor certificate to teach law enforcement and a driver instructor certification.

Joey Blackburn ran for Sheriff of Thomas County in 2020, but did not win.

Said, "While working in criminal investigations I was attached to the GBI internet crimes against children task force."

Said, "I will have an open-door policy and look forward to hearing ways we can improve and strengthen our community. "

- Said, "While working in criminal investigations I was attached to the GBI internet crimes against children task force."
- Said, "I will have an open-door policy and look forward to hearing ways we can improve and strengthen our community. "

Public Safety

As of March 19, 2024, Joey Blackburn did not have a website or any information online.

Jail Management

Criminal Justice

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Joey Blackburn

Qualifying wraps up; six set to face off in race for sheriff

Joey Blackburn is married to his wife Kim, and together they have three children and one grandchild with another on the way. He attends First Newark Baptist Church. Blackburn graduated from Thomas County Central High School and received an associate degree from Thomas University. He lives in Thomas County.

Joey Blackburn has over 33 years of law enforcement experience. He achieved a general instructor certificate to teach law enforcement and a driver instructor certification.

As of March 19, 2024, Joey Blackburn did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Hufstetler: No factual basis for police lawsuit

As of May 10, 2024, David Hufstetler did not have a website or publicly available contact information in order for us to send them our questionnaire.

Davis Hustetler was previously a city council member for Thomas County. 

Hufstetler: No magic formula for candidacy

Said, he wanted to run because "[he] continually heard that people wanted a change at city hall."

Supports an independent audit of the city's $140 million annual budget.

Wants to pass a new sign ordinance and reduce traffic laws in Thomas County.

- Said, he wanted to run because "[he] continually heard that people wanted a change at city hall."
- Supports an independent audit of the city's $140 million annual budget.
- Wants to pass a new sign ordinance and reduce traffic laws in Thomas County.

As of March 19, 2024, David Hufstetler did not have a website.

David Hufstetler

As of April 11, 2024, David Hufstetler did not have a website or publicly available contact information in order for us to send them our questionnaire.

Davis Hustetler was previously on City Council for Thomas County. 

- Said, he wanted to run because "[he] continually heard that people wanted a change at city hall"
- Supports an independent audit of the city's $140 million annual budget.
- Wants to pass a new sign ordinance and reduce traffic laws in Thomas County.

As of March 19, 2024, David Hufstetler did not have a website or publicly available contact information in order for us to send them our questionnaire.

Joe went to Cook High School and attended Thomas University. He lives in Thomasville, Georgia.

Joe worked as a sergeant for Georgia State Patrol. He also worked at Futch Irrigation.

Joe Futch's campaign for county sheriff is his first entry into politics.

As of March 19, 2024, Joe Futch did not have a website or any information online.

Joe Futch

Joe Futch went to Cook High School and attended Thomas University. He lives in Thomasville, Georgia.

Joe Futch worked as a sergeant for Georgia State Patrol. He also worked at Futch Irrigation.

As of April 11, 2024, Joe Futch did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

As of March 19, 2024, Joe Futch did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Watkins has a new rank in sheriff's office

Tim is married to his wife, and together they have one son and one granddaughter.

Tim has worked in the sheriff's office since January 1993. He served in the United States Army National Guard for 31 years.

Timothy "Tim" Watkins' campaign for county sheriff is his first entry into politics.

As of March 19, 2024, Timothy "Tim" Watkins did not have a website or any information online.

Timothy "Tim" Watkins

Timothy "Tim" Watkins is married to his wife Peggy, and together they have one son and one granddaughter.

Timothy "Tim" Watkins has worked in the sheriff's office since January 1993. He served in the United States Army National Guard for 31 years.

As of April 11, 2024, Timothy "Tim" Watkins did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

- Website says, "Brad Shealy, Southern Judicial Circuit district attorney, said Watkins is an excellent law enforcement officer dedicated to Thomas County residents and strives to work out matters when possible rather than simply arrest someone."

As of March 19, 2024, Timothy "Tim" Watkins did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

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.