HR 1649: Sheriff Russell Tanner Memorial Highway; Johnson County; dedicate

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives commemorates Sheriff Russell Tanner, who served Johnson County in law enforcement for 30 years, including as a deputy sheriff and later as sheriff after being appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris. He retired in 1992 as the longest serving law enforcement officer in county history. The resolution designates the portion of State Route 78 between Gumlog Road and Union Hill Church Road in Johnson County as the Sheriff Russell Tanner Memorial Highway. It directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to put up and maintain signs marking the dedication, and it directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to Tanner's family and to the department.

• Dedicates the section of State Route 78 between Gumlog Road and Union Hill Church Road in Johnson County as the Sheriff Russell Tanner Memorial Highway.
• Directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs marking the memorial highway designation.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to Tanner's family and the Department of Transportation.

This mainly affects the family of Sheriff Russell Tanner, residents and drivers in Johnson County who use State Route 78, and the Georgia Department of Transportation, which must install and maintain the memorial signage.

If adopted, drivers on this stretch of State Route 78 will see signs honoring Sheriff Tanner's decades of service, a symbolic but permanent recognition. The Department of Transportation takes on a small ongoing duty to maintain the signage.

• The resolution's whereas clauses recount Sheriff Tanner's 30-year law enforcement career in Johnson County, including his appointment as sheriff by Governor Joe Frank Harris.
• The first resolving clause dedicates the named portion of State Route 78 as the Sheriff Russell Tanner Memorial Highway.
• The second resolving clause authorizes and directs the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain appropriate signs for the dedication.
• The final resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to Tanner's family and the Department of Transportation.

1. 2026-03-12House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-10House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-09House Hopper (House)

• James Hatchett (R, HD-155)Primary sponsor

• highway dedication
• Johnson County
• law enforcement recognition
• memorial resolution