LaGRANGE — Sheriff James Woodruff has announced his intent to seek re-election for a second term.

Woodruff’s law enforcement career began in 1985 as a jailer with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office. He received his state certification as a deputy sheriff in 1987.

Since then he served as a deputy, patrol supervisor, public information officer, jail administrator and chief deputy. Woodruff holds state certification in corrections, where he received top honors in his class, according to a press release. He is also a state certified law enforcement instructor.

Woodruff was elected sheriff in 2012. He listed the following achievements made with his team during his first term:

• Returned the tax collection duties over to the Tax Commissioner’s Office.

• Removed the automated phone line to ensure that citizens talk to a person when calling the sheriff’s office.

• Restored the Junior Deputy Program for all third graders in the Troup County School System.

• Partnered with the Troup County School System to provide school resource officers in middle and high schools in unincorporated Troup County.

• Developed and implemented a reserve deputy program.

• Completed construction and opened the third inmate housing unit within the jail division, which eased inmate overcrowding.

• Completed construction of the visitation center and established video visitation.

• Re-established working relationships with all public safety agencies within Troup County and surrounding areas.

• Revived the Law Enforcement Explorer Program for teenagers who have an interest in law enforcement.

According to a press release, during Woodruff’s first term, he and his team have supported agencies including the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Home Pineland Campus, Boys and Girls Club, United Way, Harmony House, Relay for Life, Emmaus Shelter, Homeless Coalition, The Active Life, Crime Stoppers, Pathways, Safe Families, West Georgia Heart Association and the Troup County Prevention Coalition.

Woodruff is a member of the LaGrange Lions Club, West Georgia Hospice Volunteer, Boys and Girls Club board member, Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes board member, West Georgia Health Insider graduate, United Way of West Georgia board member and graduate of Leadership Troup Class of 2004.

Woodruff and his wife, Sharon, have two children: daughter Lindsey Woodruff; and son, Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Woodruff, his wife, Linda; and one grandchild, Mark.

Woodruff said he greatly appreciates the support he has received from the residents of Troup County and looks forward to continuing to serve as sheriff.