Richmond County has a new sheriff, and here’s what he says
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Incoming Richmond County Sheriff Eugene “Gino” Brantley issued a statement on Tuesday evening hours before taking office.
Brantley unseated Richard Roundtree, who’s served as sheriff for 12 years and marked his last day in office Tuesday.
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The new year brings a new sheriff as Eugene Brantley officially takes over as Richmond County’s top cop. In the transition, one notable deputy will be out of a job.
Here’s Brantley’s message:
As I officially take office at midnight on New Year’s Eve, I want to assure the residents of Augusta that our law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to ensure a safe and secure celebration as we usher in the new year.
While my tenure begins at the stroke of midnight, we have been working closely with our local law enforcement partners to ensure that there is an increased and visible presence throughout Augusta, particularly in downtown areas. Public safety is our top priority, and we are committed to providing a strong presence, responsive services, and a sense of security for everyone celebrating the occasion.
I want to personally assure you that both my command staff and I will be at the office starting at midnight and will be actively engaged in the community throughout the night. We will be out on patrol and visiting key areas to ensure everything runs smoothly. This hands-on approach reflects our commitment to being accessible and responsive to the needs of our community, especially on such an important night.
Our dedicated officers will be working collaboratively with local police, emergency services, and event organizers to monitor the situation and respond promptly to any incidents that may arise. We are prepared for the unique challenges that come with this night, including crowd management, traffic control, and ensuring that all activities remain safe and enjoyable for all participants.
We are excited to step into this new chapter, and I am personally looking forward to working with our law enforcement partners and the community in the coming days and years. Together, we will continue to strengthen our efforts to keep Augusta safe, not just on New Year’s Eve, but every day of the year.
As we celebrate, I encourage everyone to be responsible and look out for one another. We wish you all a safe and happy New Year.
Brantley is ready to move into the role.
He took his oath of office Friday during a ceremonial swearing-in as the new sheriff of Augusta-Richmond County.
Brantley’s election to the office of sheriff marks the culmination of over two decades of dedicated service to Richmond County.
“My first order of business is going to be to get in, meet with all of the deputies and different non-law enforcement personnel. Just kind of get the temperature of the workplace, see what we can do to improve it, change the culture. Just fix a lot of the things that I saw were wrong with or not going as, as they should within the office,” said Brantley.
A native of Estill, S.C., Brantley is no stranger to serving Richmond County.
He started working for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in 2000 and went to work for the Marshal’s Office in 2016.
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