Governor Perdue Issues Executive Order to Investigate Towns County Sheriff

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue issued an Executive Order to investigate Towns County Sheriff Rudy Eller.  The investigating committee will consist of Attorney General Thurbert Baker, Cherokee County Sheriff Roger Garrison, and Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.

A copy of the Executive Order follows:

Whereas:                   Towns County Sheriff Rudy Eller surrendered himself to be arrested on charges related to alleged false statements, tampering with evidence, hindering and obstructing law enforcement officers, and violation of oath as a public officer; and

 

Whereas:                   Under the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 15-16-26(a), the Governor has determined that an investigation of Sheriff Eller should be made as a result of alleged misconduct in office; and

 

Whereas:                   O.C.G.A. § 15-16-26(a) provides that the Governor shall appoint two sheriffs who are members of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association to conduct the investigation along with the Attorney General.

 

                                    Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby

 

Ordered:                   That Attorney General Thurbert Baker; Roger Garrison, Sheriff of Cherokee County; and Steve Wilson, Sheriff of Walker County, are hereby appointed as the committee to conduct an investigation and to make a report of their          investigation to me within 30 days as provided in O.C.G.A. § 15-16-26(b), with a recommendation as to whether Rudy Eller should be suspended from office as prescribed by O.C.G.A. § 15-16-26(c).

 

                                    This the 3rd day of August, 2007.

 

Governor Sonny Perdue