Sheriff Ira Edwards, Jr. '00

Sheriff Edwards was born in Dublin, Georgia and is a 1979 graduate of Dublin High School. He attended the University of Georgia where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a focus in Criminal Studies. Sheriff Edwards has a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University where he was inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, graduating with honors. He is a 2002 graduate of the National Sheriff's Institute where he was nominated as class president. He completed his 280-hour coursework from the Command College in December 2003.

His law enforcement career began in 1985 with the Clarke County Sheriff's Office. After serving four years with the Sheriff's Office, he transferred to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department where he served 11 years up until his election as Sheriff of Clarke County in July of 2000.

Sheriff Edwards is the first African- American Sheriff in the history of Athens-Clarke County. He is also the first African-American to win a county-wide election in Athens-Clarke County.

He has served as a D.A.R.E. Instructor, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator, mentor in the Clarke County Community, and Chaplain. He is a graduate of the 2003 Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange Program and is an ordained Elder at Timothy Baptist Church where he is a very active member.

Presently he serves on numerous local, state, and national level committees including: National Sheriff's Association Executive Committee for Youth Development, the Georgia Sheriff's Association (Audit and Vice Chair), the Georgia Sheriff Youth Homes (2nd Vice President), the Domestic Violence Task Force (Board Member), the Peace Officer's for Christ for Northeast Georgia (President), the Council on Aging, the Clarke County Mentoring Program (Board Member), the Community in Schools (Board Member, the Boys Scouts of Northeast Georgia (Executive Board Member), and the Athens-Clarke County American Diabetes Charity Drive (2003 Chairperson).

Sheriff Edwards has received numerous awards for his outstanding service through out the community, including being named the 2003 D.A.R.E. Executive Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and the 2004 President's Award from the Georgia Sheriff's Association. His motto is "Serving our Community".