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Sheriff Shirley graduated from Stephens County High School in 1973. He also graduated Cum Laude in 1987 from Brenau University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Criminal Justice. While in school he was on the National Dean's list 1984-1985 and 1985-1986, in Who's Who among students in American Universities and Colleges, and was a member of Phi Beta Sigma.


Sheriff Shirley has been honored with many awards including:


    * Lawman of the month- Toccoa PD, 1978

    * Young Monarch Award- Toccoa Lions Club, 1991

    * Special Awards of Honor- Internation Narcotics Assoc., 1991

    * Officer of the Year- Toccoa Optimist Club, 1993

    * Toccoa/Stephens Citizen of the Year, 1994

    * "People Sharing, People Caring" Charitable Contributions Leadership Award, State of Georgia, 1999

    * Tri-State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, 2005

    * Lavonia Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, 2004

    * Exceptional Service in the Public Interest Award, F.B.I.- 2000

    * Georgia to the Nation of Israel, Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange Program - 2002


Sheriff Shirley is a member of several professional organizations and civic groups including:


    * Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police

    * International Association of Chiefs of Police

    * Georgia Sheriff's Association

    * Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange Program

    * Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council

    * Past president of the Tri-State Law Enforcement Conference

    * Past president of the Piedmont Northern Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (M.A.N.S.)

    * Toccoa Boys and Girls Club

    * Leadership Toccoa/Stephens and Franklin Counties

    * Lavonia Chamber of Commerce

    * Past Junior Warden of Toccoa Masonic Lodge

    * Past President of Toccoa Shine Club

    * Past President of Toccoa Optimist Club


Sheriff Shirley is married with one child. They attend Hill Street Baptist Church in Toccoa where he serves as Treasurer and Deacon.

Kogod served as a uniform patrol deputy, a P.O.S.T. certified general law enforcement instructor, a Sergeant/D.A.R.E. Instructor in the Crime Prevention Unit, Commander over the Sheriff’s Office R.E.D.D.O.G. (Run Every Drug Dealer Out of Georgia) Street-level Drug Interdiction Unit and Captain over the Sheriff’s Office Operations Division.


In 2001, Chief Deputy Kogod became a member of the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office. During his service in Barrow County, Chief Deputy Kogod served as the Lieutenant over the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, the Captain over the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division, and served as Barrow County’s Chief Deputy for 5 years.


During his 14 years of law enforcement service, Chief Deputy Kogod has received numerous professional and community service awards and recognitions.


Chief Deputy Kogod has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 16 years. They have 2 children – a 9-year old daughter, Brooklyn and a 6-year old son, Brantley. Chief Deputy Kogod and his family are very excited about moving to Stephens County and are looking forward to becoming involved in their new hometown community.

Sheriff Randy Shirley was elected to the Office of the Sheriff of Stephens County in 2008. Prior to his election, he was the chief of the Lavonia Police Department from 1999 to 2008, during which time the agency obtained state certification and formed an investigation division. Prior to serving Lavonia, Sheriff Shirley served with the Toccoa Police Department as a police officer from 1974 to 1980, the Stephens County Sheriff's Office as an investigator from 1980 to 1996, and the Georgia Department of Labor in Atlanta from 1996 to 1999 as an agent.


Sheriff Shirley graduated from Stephens County High School in 1973. He also graduated Cum Laude in 1987 from Brenau University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Criminal Justice. While in school he was on the National Dean's list 1984-1985 and 1985-1986, in Who's Who among students in American Universities and Colleges, and was a member of Phi Beta Sigma.

Chief Deputy Murray Kogod was born and raised in the Bethesda/Potomac, Maryland area. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland in 1986, his Juris Doctorate degree from Western New England College School of Law in 1989, and graduated the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 2000. He also completed Levels 1 & 2 of the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute Management Development Program in 2006.


Upon moving to Georgia in 1990, Chief Deputy Kogod practiced law in the private sector for 4 years. He then became an Assistant District Attorney and investigator with the Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office where he received his Georgia peace officer certification in 1994.


In 1996, Chief Deputy Kogod became a deputy sheriff with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. During his employment with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy

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