Four Paulding Sheriff's Officers Retire, Receive Virtual Sendoff

DALLAS, GA — Four long-time officers who recently retired from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office couldn’t enjoy official retirement parties because of the pandemic shut-down — so the department did the next best thing and wished them well via social media. Here’s what was posted:

Major Ava Davis retired on June 2 after a 39-year career in law enforcement, first with the Dallas Police Department and then with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, where she served under four different sheriffs. Davis started with the Dallas department in 1981 as a dispatcher, also handling crossing-guard and parking enforcement-duties. After she joined the sheriff’s office in 1986, she served as a dispatcher, as a patrol deputy, and as a detective in both the burglary unit and the juvenile-investigations division. Davis was also the first female to attain the rank of major at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. She also was commander of the juvenile division

“Throughout her career Major Davis was known for her compassion and commitment to the children of Paulding County,” said Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge. “Ava has always been one of my favorite people to work with and her love for children is unparalleled. She is going to be so mad about this press release because she hates ‘fanfare’ and having her photograph taken, but celebrating her career is well deserved.”

Captain Michele Zachery retired on May 15 after nearly 31 years of service under three different sheriffs. Over that time, she served in both the jail and courthouse-security divisions. During her final years with the office, she was division commander for the courthouse-security division

“Throughout her career, Captain Zachery was known for her compassion and commitment to duty,” Gulledge said. “Michele was a fantastic employee and someone I could always count on. She could also make a delicious red velvet cake which was a treat when she brought one to work.”

Corporal Reece Brown retired on May 1 after 28 years and service under three different sheriffs. He served in the warrants/civil division and later in courthouse security, where he eventually rose to division supervisor.”

"Throughout his career Corporal Brown assisted citizens and was always a shining star and a great example for others to follow,” Gulledge said. “Reece was an excellent employee and is a great friend.”

Major Tom Murphy retired on April 17 after more than 33 years with the sheriff’s office. Starting with the Dallas Police Department, Murphy moved to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and then briefly left law enforcement altogether. He returned in 1987 after “realizing what his true calling was. Murphy spent most of his career in the criminal-investigation division, where he eventually rose to commander.

“Throughout his career Major Murphy went through thousands of hours of advanced law enforcement training to keep his investigative skills honed,” Gulledge said. “Tom was a pillar of this agency.”

Gulledge wished all retirees well and promised them an official ceremony after pandemic restrictions are relaxed.