Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheriff Melody Maddox.
Hi Sheriff Melody, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my law enforcement career at the City of Atlanta Police Department before going on to serve with both the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the DeKalb County Police Departments. In 2008, I aided in the creation of the public safety office for the rapidly expanding DeKalb Technical College – now Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC), where I served as the Assistant Chief of Police and, subsequently, making history as the college’s first female Chief of Police. In early 2019, I returned to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office as Chief of Administration. In July of the same year, I was appointed Chief Deputy. I was then appointed Sheriff in December of 2019. In 2020, after three special elections and one general election, I was elected for my first 4-year term. I am the 50th Sheriff of the county and the first woman to hold this office.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Statistics shows that about 5% of sheriffs are African American and 2% are women. It is reported that women make up only 13% of law enforcement; 9.6% are in supervising roles such as sergeants and lieutenants; 7% in roles of captains and higher. With that being said, not only as a woman but as a woman of color in a male-dominated field has presented challenges that at times seemed too big to overcome. There is a constant need to prove your ability and competency as a woman in fulfilling a leadership role in law enforcement. I chose to turn my attribute of being a woman into empowerment. As a woman, I am strong enough to endure whatever may come my way and lead with a level of understanding and compassion that I pray encourages and uplifts all I come in contact with.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently the elected Sheriff of DeKalb County, Georgia. I serve a county with over 700,000 citizens and holds the largest pre-trial facility in the southeastern region of the county. As Sheriff my role is to oversee the care, custody and control of incarcerated persons awaiting trial and/or serving a short-term sentence imposed by the courts. I oversee the functions of Sheriff Deputies who endeavor on misdemeanor and felony warrants. I connect with my community and show a presence to ensure that the community is aware that they have a Sheriff and agency that cares and is here to provide whatever assistance we can to ensure the betterment of the community we serve.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My family, being a mother and a grandmother will always be first in my life. I work hard to ensure that my family is taken care of and that I can leave a proud legacy for them to carry on.
Protecting those I have the privilege of serving. Those individuals that fall under my leadership within the agency as well as the citizens of DeKalb county. I pray I can make a positive change and leave an inspiring legacy of leadership.
Contact Info:
- Email: mmaddox@dekalbcountyga.gov
- Website: http://www.dekalbsheriff.org/
- Facebook: DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Decatur, GA
- Instagram: @ dekalb_sheriff
