Sheriff Tim Fields to seek re-election
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Jenkins County Sheriff Tim Fields is shown with a group of students at Jenkins County Elementary School during a recent program conducted by his department. Sheriff Fields announced this week that he will seek a second term of office. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Jenkins County Sheriff Tim Fields announced this week that he will seek re-election to the post he has held since 2005, stating that he loves every minute of the job whether it is fighting crime, directing traffic, mingling with school children or chasing cows.

While the sheriff feels that many improvements and changes have taken place over the past four years, he considers the development of a spirit of cooperation with surrounding law enforcement agencies as one of the greatest achievements.

"We have mutual aid agreements with several surrounding counties. In addition to actual crime-fighting aid, we can also coordinate with surrounding agencies to transport prisoners out-of-town, and that saves money and time. People don't realize it, but we do 12-14 outof county transports every month," he said.

Another advantage of interagency cooperation is establishing contacts, Sheriff Fields noted.

"The sheriff's department was able to secure a $50,000 grant to upgrade equipment. As it turned out, I knew just about everyone who was on the grant committee and was able to contact them personally. I don't feel that this department is isolated now," he said.

While safety at the jail was an initial concern, Sheriff Fields thinks progress has been made in that area as well. Inmates with histories of violent crimes and female prisoners are no longer incarcerated at the local facility. The sheriff has also initiated an "inmate commissary" which generates revenue that is used to purchase necessary items for prisoners.

"This saves the taxpayers money," he noted.

The sheriff is also well-known among local school children as he visits the schools on a weekly basis, participating in programs, offering encouragement and giving hugs. He hopes developing a relationship with the students while they are young will help to keep them out of trouble as they grow older.

"Fighting crime is like combat. You just have to keep beating it back," he said.

On a personal level, the sheriff expressed his belief that the position he holds is a "divine appointment," an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of local citizens. In addition to the challenges of the office, he acknowledged a personal struggle to maintain a "compassionate heart" while performing his job duties.

"I just ask the Lord everyday to give me a discerning spirit," he said.

When asked if there was anything about his position that he doesn't like, the sheriff reluctantly confessed that he wishes he could avoid - politicking.

"Qualifying begins next month, and my wife tells me I have to do it," he says with a smile. "I just hope people think I've done a good job and vote for me."