Sixty-two Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office’s officers of various positions gathered Jan. 2 in the legislative chamber in Georgia Military College’s (GMC) Old Capital Building to be sworn in.
Sheriff Bill Massee, who was recently sworn in for his 10th term as sheriff, partnered with GMC to host the ceremony. Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, USA (Ret.) thanked Massee for thinking of them and stated how proud and honored GMC was to be the host of the special event.
“We are very honored to be able to host this ceremony in our location for you,” said Caldwell. “This is an incredibly important and special occasion and for all of us, every day, that benefit from your commitment, the sacrifices you make, and your dedication to your duty, we want to say thanks.”
Massee spoke on his career as sheriff, recounting hard cases, the difficulties of wearing a badge, and the choices officers have to make.
He joked on the differences of thinking between different generations of officers, the difference of the times, and yet how the many officers there, much younger than him, are able to adapt and work together alongside him to make Baldwin County a safer place.
“The office of sheriff is a constitutional office.
We are elected by the people, commissioned by the government, and our duties are written in the constitution of the state of Georgia,” said Massee.
“It lists me as the chief law enforcement of the county, custodian of the jail, and an officer of the court. I have a superior court judge here..and the law says when she is on the bench the sheriff or his deputies shall be present.
It says they “shall be,” not “might be.”
“When someone sues, it (the documents) says “I am suing William C. Massee in his official capacity and I am suing William C. Massee individually.” I am not just business-wise liable for all of these people, but personally, and that is why I have always been particular about who I hire,” added Massee. “Who I hire not only represents me but represents y’all (the community).”
Masse bragged to the officers in the room, commending them for their ability to “embrace change” and for helping to create a sheriff’s office that is “state of the art.”
With sincerity he closed his speech stating, “I’m sincerely pleased to swear you in today,” before reading the oath.
Officers who were sworn in repeated the oath as follows: “I do swear that I will faithfully execute all writs, warrants, precepts, and processes directed to me as a deputy sheriff of this county, or which are directed to all sheriffs of this state, or to any other sheriff specially, which I can lawfully execute, and true returns make, and in all things well and truly, without malice or partiality, perform the duties of the office of deputy sheriff of Baldwin County, during my continuance therein, and take only my lawful fees.
“I do further swear that I am not the holder of any unaccounted for public money due this state or any political subdivision of this state, that I am not the holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States, any other state, or any foreign state which by laws of the State of Georgia I am prohibited from holding, and that I am otherwise qualified to hold the office of sheriff according to the constitution and laws of Georgia.”
“I look forward to working with each of you,” said Massee.
Following all officers being sworn in, Massee announced that Major Scott Deason will be promoted to chief deputy of uniform services, administration, and the jail.
“We’ve had a bit of reorganization and he (Deason) has been doing this for the last few months. I felt like it was fair and appropriate to make that change,” said Massee. “I hope y’all (his family) are as proud of what he does as we are.”
The ceremony concluded with a round of applause and Deason reuniting with his family, invited by Massee, with tears.
“I am very humbled,” Deason said when asked about the promotion. “I was totally caught off guard.”
Deason has worked for the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office for 29 years.
With this promotion, Deason will be promoted from the rank of major to colonel and will essentially serve as Massee’s righthand man.