Barrow County Sheriff's Office Now State Certified

The Barrow County Sheriff's Office has met more than 120 standards set as benchmarks for law enforcement agencies to achieve certification by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. 

Sheriff Jud Smith recognized several department employees Tuesday, Oct. 16, during a presentation at the Barrow County Courthouse, including Lt. Matt Guthas, who served as certification manager for the department. 

"Matt Guthas is the reason we are state certified today," Smith said. "It is a proud moment for the sheriff's office." 

Smith said the department is the 20th of 159 counties to be state certified and the difficult part is ahead — maintaining that certification. To learn more about the certification, click here. 

The following employees were recognized during Tuesday's presentation: 

• Major Mike Hamm
• Investigator Jennifer Howell
• Deputy Barry Chandler
• Deputy Vince Schmidt 
• Sherry Wilson
• Melanie Robertson
• Bobye Peters
• David Hudson 
• The late Sgt. John Petty, whose wife, Deputy Yvonne Petty, accepted his recognition  

Extend congratulations to the Barrow County Sheriff's Office, and these department employees, in the comments section below. 

Subscribe to Barrow Patch’s newsletters, follow us on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook.