SR395: SR395 Maddox, Sheriff Melody M.; recognize

25 LC 112 3371 Senate Resolution 395 By: Senators James of the 28th, Rhett of the 33rd, Orrock of th e 36th, Mallow of the 2nd, Esteves of the 35th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Sheriff Melody M. Maddox; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Sheriff Melody M. Maddox has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to2 public safety and law enforcement throughout her distinguished career, which spans more3 than 20 years of service with numerous agencies in the metropolitan Atlanta area; and4 WHEREAS, in 2008, she applied her expertise to the creation of the public safety office for5 DeKalb Technical College, now Georgia Piedmont Technical Colleg e, where she became6 assistant chief of police and was appointed thereafter as the institution's first female chief of7 police, making history as the only woman to hold such a positio n within the Technical8 College System of Georgia's 22 colleges; and9 WHEREAS, in 2013, Sheriff Maddox left her position as chief of police to pursue her10 long-standing goal of serving as an elected official in law enforcement; and11 WHEREAS, she returned to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office in 2019 as chief of12 administration and was subsequently promoted to chief deputy, t he highest-ranking13 non-elected position in the agency, where she oversaw critical functions of the jail, courts,14 and training operations; and15 S. R. 395 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3371 WHEREAS, following the retirement of Sheriff Mann, she was appointed to complete the16 remainder of his unexpired term and was sworn in as DeKalb Coun ty's 50th sheriff on17 December 1, 2019, where she has since served with honor and distinction; and18 WHEREAS, Sheriff Maddox's professional affiliations include the Georgia Association of19 Chiefs of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police , National Sheriffs'20 Association, National Organization for Black Law Enforcement Ex ecutives, Women in21 Public Safety, and the DeKalb County Chief's Association; and22 WHEREAS, she further serves her community as a dedicated member of the DeKalb County23 NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, Women for Morris Brown College, Saint24 Philip AME Church, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; and25 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that gratitude is expressed for the unique and26 often unheralded contributions of local law enforcement profess ionals on behalf of the27 citizens of this state.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29 recognize and commend Sheriff Melody M. Maddox for her exceptio nal service in law30 enforcement and her invaluable contributions to the DeKalb County community as well as31 extend best wishes for continued success.32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed33 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Sheriff Melody34 M. Maddox.35 S. R. 395 - 2 -