Decision 2024: Meet Robert “Buck” Shannon, candidate for Peach County Sheriff
Early voting began on October 15 and ends on November 1. Election day is November 5.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –Robert “Buck” Shannon and Ty Ben Matthews are on the ballot for Peach County Sheriff.
41NBC’s Monica Diaz-Meek spoke with Robert “Buck” Shannon ahead of the November 5 election.
Candidate name: Robert Buck Shannon
Running for: Peach County Sheriff
Campaign Website: buckshannonforsheriff.com
MONICA- Welcome back. Today we have Robert Buck Shannon, who’s running for Peach County sheriff. Thank you for being here today.
BUCK- Yes, ma’am. You’re welcome.
MONICA- I’m excited to have you here. Election season is well underway. Election day just a few days out. And so I have a few questions for you. First off, I want to ask what are your main priorities if you’re elected? How do you plan on addressing those? And what would that look like?
BUCK- Yes, ma’am. I plan on fighting crime, of course, because that’s one of the main things, coming up with a gang unit, high violent crime unit. Something that if we have a certain area that we have a lot of crime in, we have several guys that are just dedicated to that area. So that’s one of the big things I’m going to work on. And also, I want to work on mental health. Mental health is so important in Middle Georgia right now. There are so many cases.
MONICA- Why do you think that you are the best person for this? Why should you be elected?
BUCK- Well, I was born and raised in Byron. I’ve been in Peach County, all 49 years of my life. I’ve been at the sheriff’s office for 28 years. I started off in a jail. I went to patrol, became a patrol supervisor, and now I’m working investigations. So I think that I am the best candidate for the job. I know most of the people in Peach County. Most of the people know they know me. So I think I’m the number one candidate for Peach County Sheriff.
MONICA- What is your reaction to seeing this record breaking voter turnout? What does that say to you about this election cycle that we’re in right now?
BUCK- Well, I am so excited. The numbers are just so high. It’s just just makes me excited. You know, even I’m on the ballot. And just to see so many people turn out to vote, it is just. It’s just people are ready to voice their opinion, you know, and ready for a change.
MONICA- Now, what would it look like if you’re elected? What could people see in Peach County? What changes would be implemented from you winning this election?
BUCK- There would be more like coffee with a cop, interaction with the police out, with deputies. Instead of waiting until something happens. So we’ll be out in the community with the kids. Summer programs. Like I say, just meet and greet the county, citizens and ask them questions. You know? What are we doing wrong? What are we doing right? What do we need to work on? And what do y’all want us to do? Yes ma’am.
MONICA- Now you talked about it, nearly five decades in Peach County. Why is it so important to you to serve your community? You’re born and raised here. You raised your kids there. Why is it so important to you? What does that mean?
BUCK- It just, I was born and raised in Peach County, and as I was coming up, we had law enforcement officers that knew you by your name. And if you did something wrong, they would call your parents, and I, you know, I think that would be would be real nice. So I can just say, hey, look, you know, your son is this, your daughter is this or just friendly atmosphere, you know, being able to call me by my first name, you know, instead of waiting for something to happen, you know?
MONICA- Okay.
BUCK- Yes, ma’am.
MONICA- Now, what do you want to tell voters before we wrap up, what is the last thing you want to tell voters as they go out to vote?
BUCK- If you haven’t voted yet, please get out there and vote. This is real important. All elections are important. But this one here is just very important. Just please get out and vote.
MONICA- Thank you so much.
