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James Woodruff, Stewart Road, LaGrange

Occupation: business manager at Troup County Correctional Institution

Education: Troup High School

Relevant experience: 20 years experience in law enforcement as a jailer, deputy, patrol supervisor, public information officer, jail administrator and chief deputy. Adviser for the sheriff’s office explorer post, which was a program designed for young people ages 14 to 21 who were interested in law enforcement. As jail administrator, responsible for the daily operations of the jail and overseeing all inmates and jail personnel. As chief deputy, responsible for the daily operations of the entire sheriff’s office which included hiring new personnel and overseeing the departmental budget.

Woodruff is the Republican challenger for Troup County Sheriff after winning the primary earlier this fall. His goals for the department include:

• Restoring the Junior Deputy and CHAMPS programs to Troup County schools.

• Cut wasteful spending from the department, including moving delinquent tax collections back to the Troup County Tax Commissioners’ office.

• Replace an automated phone line at the sheriff’s office and jail with a real person to take calls from people checking inmates’ statuses, court dates and visitation.

• Intensify law enforcement efforts regarding illegal drugs and drunk driving.

“I am the candidate with the experience,” Woodruff said. “I have held many positions within the agency including managing the jail and overseeing a multi-million dollar budget, the daily operations and more than 100 employees as chief deputy.

Woodruff said he wants to be accessible and reinstate programs that have gone away in recent months in the department, including the sheriff’s Facebook and website pages and weather alert system.