NEWTON COUNTY – Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown was sworn in as President of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association on July 26, 2023 during the GSA’s annual awards banquet in Jekyll Island, Georgia.
“I am honored and honored to accept the responsibility of serving as President of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, a significant milestone in my journey.” First and foremost, I would like to thank all of my citizens who live in my community who endorsed me and elected me to four different terms,” Brown said. “This prestigious honor would not have been possible without the late Douglas Digby, who employed me as a patrolman in 1973. He saw something in me – the little boy from South Georgia – and accepted me as a patrolman. I also can’t forget retired sheriff Gerald B. Malcom, who also saw something in me and through his guidance enabled me to move forward; and my predecessor, the late Sheriff Joe Nichols, for continuing to increase my success.
“I send my deepest thanks to the members of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association for entrusting me with the responsibilities of President. I am grateful to my wife, children, siblings and other family members who have supported my career over the years. In addition, I am grateful to my associates who stand by my side and work hard every day to uphold the mission and values of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.”
Brown was elected the first African American sheriff of Newton County, Georgia on November 4, 2008. He worked in law enforcement in Newton County for more than 35 years before being elected sheriff. He has more than 49 years of law enforcement experience and oversees a full-service department with approximately 350 employees and more than 600 inmates.
Prior to Brown’s inauguration as GSA President on July 26, he served as Secretary-Treasurer, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President and Chaplain of the GSA. He currently serves on the GSA board committee. He was appointed to the Georgia State Sex Offender Risk Review Committee on October 24, 2019 by Governor Brian Kemp. He is a member of the board of directors of the Newton County Salvation Army and serves as a board member of Georgia Piedmont Technical College.
