Rick Kelley

by Eric Tiongson

White County News

Rick Kelley has lived in White County his entire life, and has always wanted to serve the area. He’s worked in county law enforcement for the past 21 years, starting off as a jailer, captaining the criminal investigations division, and then being elected as White County’s sheriff in 2020. Staying in the area has always been a priority for Kelley.

“I could’ve went other places to make more money, but I just chose here,” Kelley said. “It’s my home.”

Kelley wants to do it again. He’s running for reelection as sheriff in the 2024 race, and believes his experience and education make him a very qualified candidate.

“I’ve been with the Sheriff’s Office for over 20 years continuously, I’ve worked in all divisions of the sheriff’s office,” Kelley said. “I’ve got a college degree in criminal justice through North Georgia College.”

Should he get a second term, Kelley has a few goals in mind.

Enhancing the drug education programming in schools, expanding the inmate labor program and getting the White County Sheriff’s Office accredited through the Georgia Sheriff’s Association are three things Kelley would like to accomplish.

“I think that’s very important,” Kelley said on drug education.

Currently, the Sheriff’s Office is partnered with the CHAMPS (Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety) program, providing drug education services for fifth grade students. While the program is only currently offered for fifth graders, they hope to expand it to middle and high school students.

Should the sheriff’s office be accredited through the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, they would be eligible for services such as annual training events and conferences with sheriff’s offices from around the state.

Ultimately, Kelley hopes his policies and platforms will make White County a better and safer place.

“I’ve lived here my whole life,” Kelley said. “The county is important to me. The people here, the whole community, I’m dedicated to serving the citizens of White County.”

During his first term, Kelley is proud of his work combating drug use in the county, adding two K9 units to the patrol and creating educational tablets for inmates, proving information for counseling and substance abuse programs.

He’s also added four student resource officers to the staff, giving every school in the county an officer.

“That is a big, big plus for this community and our school system,” Kelley said.

Kelley likes to spend time with family and friends. He’s also an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing around the place he calls home.