2015 November – The GRIP

City manager discusses GPD chief hiring process

November 30, 2015 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Following the Nov. 21 resignation of Steve Heaton, who served as chief of the Griffin Police Department since April 2014, Capt. Homer Daniel, as the senior commanding officer, has been named interim chief. Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith said Daniel will hold that position until the hiring process has been completed, […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Capt. Homer Daniel, Chief Steve Heaton, City Manager Kenny Smith, Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, interim chief, petition, spalding county

Young lady’s epilepsy diagnosis strengthens family bond

November 30, 2015 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Life can change forever in an instant. This is a harsh reality that was faced in 2008 by David and Selena Williams when their daughter, Maggie, was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 15. “According to the doctor, she has it all. She has 36 out of the 40 […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: epilepsy, Epilepsy Awareness Month, Griffin, King, Maggie Williams, Selena Williams, service dog, spalding county

Five family members injured in Sunday afternoon wreck

November 29, 2015 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Five members of one family were injured in a Sunday afternoon wreck at the intersection of North Expressway and Highway 92. Three of those injured were children, the youngest being only one-week-old. According to Sgt. Matt McFarlan, of the Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Division, the wreck occurred when a driver […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: baby, children, Egleston, family, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Highway 92, North Expressway, spalding county, wreck

Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit investigation raises questions

November 25, 2015 by Sheila Mathews 1 Comment

The GRIP received information from a confidential source alleging the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit in 2012 conducted an illegal operation involving the placement of a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker on a vehicle without court ordered authorization. The GRIP conducted an investigation based on that allegation and the following is the first […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: court order, GPS tracker, investigation, narcotics, search warrant, Sgt. John Corley, Sheriff Wendell Beam, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, Special Operations Unit

Capt. Homer Daniel named GPD interim chief

November 19, 2015 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: Capt. Homer Daniel, as senior commanding officer of the Griffin Police Department, has assumed responsibility of day-to-day operations. Daniel has been named interim chief following the resignation of Steve Heaton, who served as chief from April 2014 through November 2015. According to city officials, Daniel will maintain these responsibilities until such time […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Capt. Homer Daniel, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, interim chief, Steve Heaton

GPD Operation Wheelin’ and Dealin’ targets street level drug dealers

November 10, 2015 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: Personnel of the Griffin Police Department Special Investigations Unit with assistance from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit and the Fayette County Tactical Narcotics Team on Oct. 28 concluded Operation Wheelin’ and Dealin,’ a sale case operation targeting street level drug dealers throughout the city of Griffin and Spalding County. […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: arrests, crime, drugs, Fayette County Tactical Narcotics Team, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, narcotics, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office

GPD: Children removed from home in “deplorable” condition

November 6, 2015 by Sheila Mathews 2 Comments

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Three children were removed from their home Wednesday when the Griffin Police Department and the Spalding County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) discovered they were living in conditions authorities describe as “deplorable.” Sgt. Kelly McKinney, of the GPD Criminal Investigation Division, said she and other law enforcement personnel responded […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: child cruelty, crime, Department of Family and Children Services, DFCS, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, spalding county