Press Releases

Sheriff Gene Scarbrough welcomed two new Detention Officers this week; Armani Matthews & Conner Key.

Adventure bags, out of Winder, Georgia, have donated 60 of their comfort bags to the Tift County Sheriff's Office.  Colonel Ray Merritt accepted the donation with each bag containing overnight essentials and comfort items for displaced children.  Since 2011 the organization has donated more than 56,000 bags in Georgia.

Each bag is age and gender specific and the contents are customized for different age groups from infant to 18 year olds.  The bags contain a variety of these items:

Blanket Stuffed Animals Book Coloring Book/Crayons/ Colored Pencils Journal 4 Smaller Toys Brush/Comb Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap/ 3 in 1 Washcloth/Puff Tooth Paste/Tooth Brush Baby Bottle/Water Bottle Diaper Pack Bib & Pacifier Baby Wipes Deodorant Feminine Hygiene Products Small Flashlight Backpack or Diaper Bag

Our thanks to Adventure Bags for their donation.

Sheriff Gene Scarbrough donated and delivered 16 bicycles to the Georgia Sheriff's Boys Ranch in Hahira.  Accepting the bikes on behalf of the Boys Ranch was Ms. Tracy Stafford.

The Boys Ranch was established in 1960 to give our state's most at risk children the love, safety and stability needed to become successful adults.  The Hahira facility encompasses more than 400 acres and serves both boys and girls.

Michael Logue & Raven Ellis were sworn in this week as new Detention Officers by Sheriff Gene Scarbrough.  Welcome

 

 

From left to right: Jarquius Lovett, Mandy Langston, Sheriff Gene Scarbrough, Jacqi Denney, Lt. Chis Strickland & Capt. Rollins Jackson.

Members of the Tift County Sheriff's Office Explorer Post 137, established in 1997, recently competed at the 50th Annual Winterfest National Competition held annual in Galingburg, Tennessee.

Explorers are youngsters between 14 and 21 who have an interest in Law Enforcement.  The competition for these future responders was comprised of 45 Law Enforcement teams and 1,500 competitors.

The team comprised of Mandy Langston, Jackqi Denney and Madeline Jackson placed 2nd in the uniform competition.  Our Explorers also competed in active shooter, unknown troubles, burglary in progress a domestic scenario, cell search and modified physical training.

Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough accompanied the Explorers along with their advisors Captain Rollins Jackson, Lieutenant Chris Strickland with assistance from Jarquvius Lovett.

If you would like to know more about the Explorer post, which meets twice per month, please contact the Tift County Sheriff's Office at 229-388-6021. 

I would like to take this opportunity to extend our best wishes for a wonderful and safe New Year from all of us at the Tift County Sheriff's Office. We look forward to helping make 2026 an excellent year for our community.

As we approach the new year, my commitment to this county's citizens remains strong, and I will continue to work with you to improve the quality of life for our county's current and future residents. I hope that 2026 will be a year when members of our community frequently extend a helping hand to their neighbors, coworkers, family, friends and strangers in need.

It's an absolute pleasure to say "thank you" to our community, as we wish you a full year of happiness and success.

Please contact my office if we can be of assistance.

Thank you,

Sheriff Gene Scarbrough

No matter how you celebrate the holidays, we hope it centers around sharing time, gifts, food, and love with family, friends, and coworkers.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and express my gratitude to our outstanding staff for everything they do for our office and community. I want to thank all our deputies and staff for their dedication and encourage you to do the same when you see them.

We are all very thankful for their hard work and commitment to our office and community throughout the year, not just around the holidays. I believe it is essential to show our appreciation to those who have been vital to our organization's success.

I would also like to thank our community for all they have done to make our area a safer place to live and raise a family.

If you plan to be away from home this holiday season, please use caution when traveling.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has the following tips on driving in winter weather:

Avoid Risky Driving Behaviors Do not text or drive distracted Obey posted speed limits Always wear your seat belt Stock your Vehicle with items you might need in an emergency Jumper cables, flashlight, and flares/emergency markers Cell phone and Charger, Water, Food, Necessary Medicine Ensure your vehicle is in proper working condition Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and interior lights Make sure your windshield wipers going working correctly and your windshield wiper fluid is full

For more information on driving in winter weather, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Enjoy your holiday season in safety and happiness.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Sheriff Gene Scarbrough

Sheriff Gene Scarbrough welcomed two new Deputies today, James Riley & William Bowen, as they received their Oath of Office.

Ameliya Hernandez & Mary Pruitt both were given their oaths of office as new Detention Officers today by Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough.  Welcome.

Saturday's Pack The Patrol Cars event for Toys For Tots at Tifton's Walmart was a great success.  Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough reported that $1,911 in cash and 1,062 toys were collected by members of the Tift County Sheriff's Office, Tifton Police Department and Troopers with Post 13 of the Georgia State Patrol. 

Our thanks to everyone who donated to help local children have a very Merry Christmas.