Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 395: Maddox, Sheriff Melody M.; recognize
Last action March 18, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Senate resolution formally recognizes DeKalb County Sheriff Melody M. Maddox for her more than 20 years of law enforcement service, including her tenure as the county's 50th sheriff.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate honoring Sheriff Melody M. Maddox of DeKalb County. It recounts her career history, including creating the public safety office at what is now Georgia Piedmont Technical College, becoming the college system's first female chief of police, and later returning to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office where she rose to chief deputy before being appointed sheriff in December 2019 following the retirement of the previous sheriff. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply states the Senate's recognition and commendation of Sheriff Maddox for her service and community involvement, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide her with an official copy of the resolution.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and commends Sheriff Melody M. Maddox for her law enforcement career and community contributions.
- Recounts her professional history, including becoming the first female chief of police in the Technical College System of Georgia.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to Sheriff Maddox.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory change; it is a ceremonial statement by the Senate.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names and honors Sheriff Melody M. Maddox of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. It also references the Technical College System of Georgia and Georgia Piedmont Technical College, where she previously served as chief of police.
Why it matters
This resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians; it is a symbolic honor. Its significance is limited to publicly acknowledging Sheriff Maddox's career and providing her an official record of the Senate's recognition.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses detail Sheriff Maddox's career, including 20-plus years in metro Atlanta law enforcement and her 2019 appointment as DeKalb County's 50th sheriff.
- The first resolving clause states the Senate's recognition and commendation of Sheriff Maddox and wishes her continued success.
- The second resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available to Sheriff Maddox.
From the bill
“the members of this body recognize and commend Sheriff Melody M. Maddox for her exceptional service in law enforcement”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Donzella James (D, SD-28)
- Michael 'Doc' Rhett (D, SD-33)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-36)
- Derek Mallow (D, SD-2)
- Jason Esteves (D, SD-35)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-55)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
- Sally Harrell (D, SD-40)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-38)
- Elena Parent (D, SD-44)
Topics
- Sheriff Melody Maddox
- DeKalb County
- law enforcement recognition
- Georgia Senate resolution