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August 18, 2012

Murray County sheriff Republican runoff

Rachel Brown rachelbrown@daltoncitizen.com

Gary Langford touts his 38 years in law enforcement as the biggest factor that makes him stand out from his political opponent.

Wyle Keith Pritchett touts his experience in every facet of the career.

Both men are in a runoff as Republicans vying for the job of Murray County sheriff. The winner of Tuesday’s election faces Democrat incumbent Howard Ensley in November. In the July 31 election, Langford received 49.79 percent of the vote while Pritchett garnered 34.97 percent. Ken Smith received 15.24 percent. Since neither candidate received at least 50 percent of the vote plus one, the top two are in a runoff.

Langford, 57, said he has worked for the Chatsworth Police Department, Murray County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol for 38 years. He retired from the state patrol after being stationed at times in Albany, Atlanta, Calhoun and Savannah, and is now working part-time as a driver for the Murray County transit system. He said his job titles have included radio operator, patrolman, deputy sheriff, sergeant on patrol, detective, cadet trooper, trooper, trooper first class, senior trooper and master trooper.

“I feel that my experience in law enforcement separates us,” he said of his opponent in the runoff. “I have over 38 years experience in law enforcement compared to his nine years experience.”

Pritchett, 43, acknowledged he doesn’t have as many years on the job as Langford, but he said he has plenty of experience. Pritchett is a patrol officer for the Eton Police Department and has also worked at the Resaca Police Department and Murray County Sheriff’s Office.

“I do have less years experience in terms of years of service but I have more experience in terms of I’ve held every (kind of job) in law enforcement,” he said.

He said he has worked in court services, on patrol, in the K-9 division, in specialized criminal interdiction, has been a chief officer of a department and a jailer.

Pritchett said he still believes Langford is “a good officer” and doesn’t want to appear to be criticizing him for any reason. Both men said that if elected they will ramp up training for officers and focus on combating the drug problem more aggressively.

Langford said that, except for situations in which he is out of town or physically can’t respond, he will be available to do the job of sheriff 24 hours a day, seven days a week if an emergency arises that needs his attention. The job is not just Monday through Friday, he said.

Pritchett said he wants to target patrols to areas with the highest need and most activity instead of always all throughout the county.

Pritchett’s email address is wylekeithpritchett@yahoo.com, and his phone number is (706) 695-7091. Langford’s email address is harliebob@windstream.net and his phone number is (706) 695-0244.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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