Randy Shirley

Stephens County — A longtime law enforcement officer is throwing his hat into the ring as a candidate for the Stephens County Sheriff’s post.

Randy Shirley, the police chief for the city of Lavonia, said he wants to be a sheriff who is accessible to citizens.

“I will always be accessible and available, so that I can benefit from the citizens of Stephens County and from their input and from their suggestions,” Shirley said.

Shirley, a lifelong Stephens County resident, started his career in the county working for the Toccoa Police Department in 1974. He then joined the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office in 1980. While with that department, he served as a criminal investigator and head of the narcotics unit.

He also worked as a special agent for the Georgia Department of Labor before going to work as Lavonia police chief. He sees illegal drugs and the crime associated with them as a major issue for Stephens County, he said.

“I know the drugs and crime here in Stephens County are tremendous and I know that I have some answers that I will be sharing,” Shirley said. “Again, I will be taking input from the citizens of Stephens County as to what their concerns are regarding the drugs and the crime here in Toccoa and Stephens County.”

He will resign as police chief at the end of April to concentrate on the sheriff’s campaign, he said.