The Richmond County Sheriff's Office would like to thank Deputy Michael Aycox for 5 years of distinguished service to this agency and the citizens of Richmond County.

Congratulations to Deputy Daniel A. Madden on his promotion to the rank of Investigator.

Congratulations to Deputy Shea A. Yates on his promotion to the rank of Investigator.

Deputy Lora Alford,

On October 1, 2014 at 1031 hours, Deputy Lora Alford and Deputy Steven Kophazy were dispatched to 13^th Street at Dugas Street in reference to a fight in progress.  Officers were unable to locate a fight, but an investigative stop was conducted on a vehicle leaving the location that one of the suspects from the fight was believed to be in. During this investigative stop Deputy Alford and Kophazy noticed that this subject was wearing clothing identical to that worn by one of the suspects in an earlier robbery attempt of the Circle K at 902 Walton Way.  Deputy Alford noticed that another subject standing nearby matched the description seen on the store video camera of the second subject involved.  Both subjects were detained and transported to CID where it was determined that they were the two in the video seen by both deputies earlier that morning.  The gun used earlier in the robbery was located in the purse of one of the suspect’s girlfriend.  By paying attention to details and using good investigative skills, Deputy Alford and Deputy Kophazy were able to solve this case.    

Due to their quick response and attention to detail, Deputies Alford and Kophazy are to be commended for their actions which resulted in two robbery suspects being taken off the streets

Deputy Steven Kophazy,

On October 1, 2014 at 1031 hours, Deputy Lora Alford and Deputy Steven Kophazy were dispatched to 13^th Street at Dugas Street in reference to a fight in progress.  Officers were unable to locate a fight, but an investigative stop was conducted on a vehicle leaving the location that one of the suspects from the fight was believed to be in. During this investigative stop Deputy Alford and Kophazy noticed that this subject was wearing clothing identical to that worn by one of the suspects in an earlier robbery attempt of the Circle K at 902 Walton Way.  Deputy Alford noticed that another subject standing nearby matched the description seen on the store video camera of the second subject involved.  Both subjects were detained and transported to CID where it was determined that they were the two in the video seen by both deputies earlier that morning.  The gun used earlier in the robbery was located in the purse of one of the suspect’s girlfriend.  By paying attention to details and using good investigative skills, Deputy Alford and Deputy Kophazy were able to solve this case.  

Due to their quick response and attention to detail, Deputies Alford and Kophazy are to be commended for their actions which resulted in two robbery suspects being taken off the streets.

Congratulations to Deputy Terry D. Skinner on his promotion to the rank of Corporal.

Congratulations to Deputy Matthew T. Mealing on his promotion to the rank of Corporal.

Congratulations to Deputy Russell A. Schaffer on his promotion to the rank of Corporal.

Deputy Martin Sullivan

  On September 7^th, 2014 at 1129 hours, a home invasion occurred at 3550 Jonathan Circle. In that incident, an 11-year-old girl was taken at gunpoint by 2 suspects wearing ski masks and led her through the house while they took various items. Upon their arrival at work, Deputy Sullivan and the rest of his shift were informed of the incident. Shortly after going into service, Deputy Sullivan went to the incident location on his own accord to check on the victim and the homeowner. Upon speaking to the grandfather of the 11 year-old, Deputy Sullivan was told of some new information. The grandfather had learned that one of the subjects may be a subject by the name of “Charles” who lives on Apple Jack Terrace. Deputy Sullivan went to Apple Jack Terrace and ultimately made contact with a subject. Deputy Sullivan made contact with C.I.D. and investigators responded to the scene. After some investigation, consent to search subject’s residence was obtained and the search recovered a .22 handgun, a computer and tablet and various other items that were taken in the robbery.

Cpl. Charles Norton  

  On Wednesday, September 10, 2014 a family was spending time near the Augusta Canal.  Parents were enjoying time with their 12 and 13 year old daughters.  While wading in the canal, one of the girls began to struggle and then went under.  She did not re-surface and her 13 year sister tried to help but was unable to get to her. The girls’ father summoned help from a nearby off duty officer who called for assistance.  Deputies William McClure, Ryan Jones, Travis Clark, and Cpl. Charles Norton all responded immediately to the scene and without hesitation removed their gun belts and entered the water in a feverish attempt to locate the young girl. After several minutes Deputy Travis Clark located the girl in about 8 feet of water and brought her to the surface where Dep. William McClure took her and rushed her to waiting medical personnel where life saving measures could be started. The young lady was transported to the Georgia Regents Medical Center and her condition was dire.  It’s unfortunate that the victim succumbed to her injuries the next day.  The actions and motivation of these deputies were ultimately to save the young girls life by risking their own. Without the actions of these deputies, the child may not have survived until medical support arrived. These deputies went above their duty as road patrol officers by going to the aid of another without hesitation to assist a citizen in distress.