The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DEKALB: Embattled sheriff who lost certification will retire early,
Jeffrey Mann to step down 13 months before term to end.
The sheriff of DeKalb County, in the midst of an appeal over his law enforcement certification, plans to retire 13 months before his term is slated to end.
Jeffrey Mann, who has been sheriff since 2014, has been fighting to keep his certification after it was revoked in 2017. Mann pleaded guilty to charges after he allegedly exposed himself to an Atlanta officer in Piedmont Park.
Mann broke the news to his command staff Wednesday. With his retirement planned for Nov. 30, the current chief deputy sheriff, Melody Maddox, is set to take over as sheriff.
“He just made the decision (that) he wanted to go ahead and retire. I respect his decision to retire,” Maddox told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an exclusive interview Wednesday. “We appreciate the work that he has done here and the foundation that he has built upon ... I’m super excited about the journey.”
It is believed that she will be the first female sheriff in DeKalb history.
Mann was first elected sheriff in a special election in 2014, and then re-elected to a full term in 2016.
In 2017, he was arrested after an Atlanta police officer accused the sheriff of exposing himself at Piedmont Park and running away to avoid arrest. Mann pleaded guilty to charges of obstruction and prohibited conduct, paying a fine and completing community service. Gov. Nathan Deal suspended him for 40 days, and he was temporarily barred from visiting Atlanta parks.
The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council also revoked his license.
Mann asked POST to reconsider its decision, but it was unsuccessful. He appealed to an administrative law judge at Georgia’s Office of State Administrative Hearings, and was scheduled for a Dec. 12 court appearance.
Mann’s retirement is expected to effectively end the appeals process over his POST certification. It could also set up a special election for sheriff ahead of the 2020 general election.
Maddox, 53, ran for sheriff against Mann in 2014 and came in fourth place in a field of seven. Mann ended up appointing her as his chief deputy earlier this year. She will be responsible for the office’s duties of operating the county jail and security at DeKalb’s courts. Maddox is the former chief of police of Georgia Piedmont Technical College.