Canton, Cherokee County, Ga. August 6, 2007- Governor Sonny Perdue on Friday signed an executive order appointing Sheriff Roger Garrison to a three person committee to investigate and report whether Towns County Sheriff Rudy Eller should be suspended from office. Attorney General Thurbert Baker and Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson were also appointed to this committee.
“Georgia state law 15-16-26(a) was established in the early 1980’s to allow sitting sheriffs to investigate other sheriffs. It is unfortunate that this law exists but it gives the office of Sheriff a way to police itself and to protect the integrity of the office of Sheriff. I am honored that Governor Perdue has the confidence in me to investigate this serious matter.” ----Sheriff Roger Garrison
This is the second time a Georgia Governor has appointed Sheriff Garrison to investigate another Sheriff. In June of 2002, Governor Roy Barnes appointed Sheriff Garrison to a committee to investigate Effingham Sheriff Jay Space following allegations a medical condition had rendered Space unable to perform his duties.