HCSO command transition announced

GAINESVILLE - With the recent retirement of two key members of the command staff, the Hall County Sheriff's Office Thursday night announced transitional appointments.

As expected, retired Tony Carter will return to the department to serve as Chief Deputy, a position he held prior to his retirement in 2004.

Carter first joined the department as a Jailer in 1972, at the age of 23. He rose quickly through the ranks, serving as a Detective, Detective Captain, and Commander of the Hall County Detention Center. In 1983, he was promoted to Major and appointed to Chief Deputy. He was promoted to his present rank by Sheriff Cronic and retired in October, 2004. Colonel Carter brings back over 32 years of experience, having served as Chief Deputy for 21 of those years under three Sheriffs. He holds an Associate's Degree from Gainesville College, a Juris Doctorate from Woodrow Wilson Law School, and a BS in Criminal Justice/Public Administration from Brenau College. Additionally, he served five years in the U.S. Army Reserve, assigned to the 802nd Ordinance Company in Gainesville.

"I appreciate Sheriff Cronic's offer to lead the men and women of the Hall County Sheriff's Office," Carter said. "I am honored to once again have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Hall County and Sheriff Cronic as Chief Deputy of the Hall County Sheriff's Office. I look forward to providing leadership and guidance to one of the best Sheriff's Offices in the State of Georgia."

To further assist during this time of transition, Capt. Woodrow Tripp, the present commander of the department's Criminal Investigation Division, will step up to serve as acting Major of Police Services.

Tripp has served with the Sheriff's Office since 2005, and is a retired Atlanta Police Commander and 33-year law enforcement veteran. He serves as one of the department's hostage negotiators and is also the senior polygraph examiner for the department. He was the Intelligence Commander during the 1996 Olympic Games
and was a consultant to the Atlanta Olympic Organizing Committee. In addition to his law enforcement background, Major Tripp is a Veteran of the U.S. Army 82
nd Airborne Division.