Lee Sheriff Reggie Rachals faces challenge of DA Investigator Dean Gore

LEESBURG — A veteran law enforcement officer who’s running for his fifth term of office, Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals admits that while he may not be exactly a genius when it comes to the latest technology, he’s made a point of hiring young officers and staff members who are not only up on the latest technology, they help others in the Lee Sheriff’s Office get up to speed.

“You have to stay ahead of the criminals because they’re going to find ways to use the new technology to commit crime,” Rachals, who is being challenged by Dougherty District Attorney’s Office Investigator Dean Gore, said. “We stay up; we have to.

“That’s one of the best things about this department. Everyone, from me down, works together to serve the citizens of this community. Our department works overtime, double-time if they have to, to make sure things are being done right.”

Gore, who started as a jailer at the Dougherty County Jail under then-Sheriff Jamil Saba, has worked his way up the ranks, covering virtually every aspect of law enforcement.

“I’ve done it all … started as a jailer, became a deputy, then worked on a special FBI task force, was promoted to sergeant, worked as part of the local SWAT team, and later had the opportunity to take a position as an investigator with the Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office,” Gore said. “Law enforcement service runs in my family: My great-granddad was a railroad detective, my granddad and dad were officers with the Albany Police Department, and my oldest son has worked with the APD. That’s five generations.

“I first tried to sign on with APD, but they weren’t hiring at the time. But Sheriff Saba gave me the position at the jail, and I’ve been in the profession for 31 years now. I’ve always, thinking back, wanted to serve as a sheriff or chief, to lead a staff. I’ve always been kind of hesitant to take the step; I’d lift my foot, but wouldn’t take the step. I feel I’m ready now.”

Rachals ticked off a number of improvements that have ben implemented at LSO since he took office 16 years ago, including:

— Creation of a Special Victims Unit;

— Project Lifesaver, a program that helps track at-risk young children or dementia patients who might wander off (a program that already has been used to find two lost individuals); 

— A Ladies Firearm training program;

— An in-house training center used by LSO, other area agencies and even the FBI;

— Working relationships with area, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

“We’ve worked with DEA and other federal agencies on drug cases; that’s helped us curtail drug trafficking in the county,” the Lee sheriff said. “We work with the Lee Police Department, other nearby agencies, GBI, FBI, DEFACS, DEA, the court system, the Department of Juvenile Justice … all of those agencies that allow us to stretch beyond Lee County.

“Our job is to make changes; when I first took office, I told the people of the county we would take the department to places its never been before. I believe we’ve done that.”

Gore said that while he “has no problem with Sheriff Rachals and the job he’s done,” he feels recruitment is an issue that needs to be addressed.

“I visited a deputy in Sumter County, and although they make less money than Lee County, they have a full staff,” the challenger said. “It seems to me then, that the problem must be management, and that means it’s time for a change.

“With all the military installations around here, it shouldn’t be hard to bring in new personnel. We need to hold more job fairs, get the word out about what’s going on here. Lee County is attracting more and more business; it shouldn’t be difficult to attract more law enforcement.”

Rachals said that while the “24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year” nature of his position does not afford him the opportunity to campaign as much as he’d like, he’s gotten the word out about his re-election campaign through social media, signs and “holding meet-and-greets” to reach out to the community whenever he can.

“I’m definitely running on my record,” he said. “I want to see this office continue to go in a positive direction. I’m not ready to retire — I still feel good about doing this — and I think I’ve proved during my time in office that if the people call on me, I’ll be there for them.

“This is a difficult job, one where officers put their lives on the line every day. There are groups now — and some in the media — that make law enforcement officers out to be bad guys. I think our citizens mostly stand behind us, though, because we’ve shown over the years that we’re going to do what’s right. And we’re not afraid to be held accountable.”

Gore said under his leadership, he sees a more proactive sheriff’s office.

“First of all, we have to be transparent, let the people know what’s going on in high-crime neighborhoods,” he said. “They deserve to know so that they can help protect themselves and their property. If a neighborhood is experiencing a high number of car break-ins, the citizens in that neighborhood need to know. And the department must increase patrols in those neighborhoods.

“I’ve gotten very positive feedback from the people I’ve encountered while campaigning. And, let ne tell you, campaigning is a lot of work. People say they’re ready for change, and I want to help bring about that change.”

Voting on Election Day will be held from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 

Staff Photo: Carlton FletcherStaff Photo: Carlton Fletcher