Getting to know Macon County Sheriff Carlos Felton

Felton, 49, was retired before entering the race, but brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience into the role. He was sworn in last Wednesday, becoming just the second Black sheriff in Macon County's history. 

MACON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One of the closest election contests across Middle Georgia last week saw Macon County elect Carlos Felton its new sheriff.

“I’ve always aspired to be a chief law enforcement officer,” Felton said. 

Felton made that a dream a reality and did so by taking an unlikely route. Felton defeated interim sheriff Richard Martin in the March 18 special election by a margin of just 126 votes, avoiding a runoff by just 10 votes. Martin had finished second in the November election but became interim sheriff after winner Jeffery Canady got involved in legal trouble. Felton called watching the votes trickle in last week a nerve-racking experience.

“When the results finally came in, it was a sense of relief, joy,” Felton said. “The people spoke, and they were heard.”

The 49-year-old, who was retired before entering the race, brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience into the role. He worked with the Georgia Department of Corrections for 17 years, six years with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, and five with the Department of Campus Safety at Fort Valley State University, his alma mater.

Being that 50% of voters chose other candidates at the ballot box, Felton says a top priority in his term will be demonstrating that he’s a sheriff for everyone.

“I’m going to rebuild and rebrand the office of the sheriff with public trust and transparency,” Felton said. “I’ve already established a website for my sheriff’s department where the citizens can just see what’s going on, keeping them informed.”

Felton says the biggest challenges he sees stepping into the role are staffing shortages and a lack of funding for equipment and jail operations. But he says he’s excited to work with county commissioners and the community as a whole to hit the ground running.

“That’s been my slogan and it’s even going to be on my badge,” Felton said. “One Macon County, we’re stronger together.”

Felton was sworn in last Wednesday, becoming just the second Black sheriff in Macon County’s history.