Sheriff candidate responds to agency’s virus response
News March 18, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – In response to a report on a Tuesday meeting at the Towns County Courthouse called to bring together local leaders at the helm of the growing COVID-19 pandemic, sheriff candidate Daren “Bear” Osborn took aim at the Towns County Sheriff’s Office for not attending the relevant conference.
“Imagine that, a National and State declared health state of emergency and the Towns County Sheriff’s Office does not believe it’s important to attend a vital county Emergency Management briefing on the COVID-19 virus,” Osborn said in part on his campaign page. “There are two candidates for the Office of Sheriff that are employed at the Sheriff’s Office, why did they not attend?”
Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, along with the two city mayors and emergency officials from Towns County EMA, EMS, Fire and Rescue, Hiawassee Police Department, and Young Harris Police Department attended the briefing, contributing input on the response measures taking form. Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith publicly noted the absence of the sheriff’s office while explaining what is known on their procedures, and how the city department is adapting to the virus.
COVID-19 response meeting at the Towns County Courthouse.
The conference, called by the commissioner, was intentionally held in the Towns County courtroom to provide social distancing between attendees.
FYN attempted to contact Towns County Chief Deputy Terry Conner, who was aware of the meeting, on Tuesday afternoon for an explanation as to why Sheriff Chris Clinton or his deputies did not represent the department. Conner replied late Wednesday afternoon, stating that the department would issue a press release on the Towns County Detention Center’s amended daily operations plan. After multiple attempts to learn why the county agency did not attend the meeting, Conner stated that the department was following health advice to avoid group gatherings.
Sheriff candidate Jim Couch, a captain with the sheriff’s office, redirected FYN to his “supervisor” on Tuesday afternoon via text. Challenger and Deputy Lisa Joseph did not respond to a request for comment.
FYN has reported Towns County Sheriff’s Office’s lack of involvement with local emergency agencies in the past, most notably in connection with school safety. While county and city agencies attending the briefing exchanged plans to confront the potential arrival of COVID-19, providing information for the press to disseminate to the public, the sheriff’s office’s level of involvement remains unclear.
VIDEO: 2020 Towns County Sheriff Candidates’ Forum
Election, News March 15, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The COVID-19 scare did not prevent a crowd of constituents from attending the 2020 Towns County Sheriff Candidates’ Forum held Saturday, March 14. Each of the five contenders were asked a series of questions in a staggered order, ranging from their plans for the sheriff’s office to how they intend on handling the law enforcement agency’s operational budget. A consistent theme throughout the forum was the contenders’ ambition to instill community policing and combat the drug problem in the area.
FYN provided a live-streamed video of the forum for viewers to watch in real-time.
https://youtu.be/zC2-8lAQBfsThe forum was hosted by the Towns County Republican Party and moderated by John Van Vliet, a professor at Young Harris College. Candidates for Towns County’s next sheriff — Jim Couch, Linda Curtis, Kenneth Henderson, Lisa Joseph, and Daren Osborn — had informational tables set up in the lobby of Towns County Schools for citizens to learn more about their campaign platforms and obtain signs or stickers of support.
Each candidate issued opening and closing statements between the multiple questions submitted by Towns County residents. A mild rift occurred when contestant Joseph stated that she was a good choice for sheriff due to her short time residing in the county and lack of kin who could be shown special treatment if a native Towns Countian was elected. Candidate Osborn, a lifelong resident of Towns County, took advantage of the time allotted for his closing statement to respond to Joseph’s statement, vowing that the insinuation would not be the case if elected.
Interestingly, the five candidates responded in limited terms when asked where their campaign contributions stemmed, with the contestants listing self-funding and “family and friends” as donors. Candidates are required to file a campaign contribution disclosure statement with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission in order to disclose the identities of financial backers. Osborn, however, divulged that his contributions have amounted to approximately $10,000 thus far.
Contender Henderson publicly canceled his March 31 “meet and greet” as a health precaution due to the coronavirus outbreak. Towns County Republican Chair Betsy Young announced at the start of the forum that no cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the Ninth District as of March 14, 2020.
New candidate for sheriff emerges as contestants take stage
Election, News February 28, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County sheriff candidates and coroner contestants attended the February meeting of the Towns County Republican Party, Feb. 27. Each candidate was permitted five minutes to present an introduction speech to GOP members and visiting constituents. Newcomer to the sheriff’s race, Craig Earon, publicly announced candidacy at the Republican forum. Although present, sheriff’s contender Linda Curtis declined the invitation to address voters, explaining to FYN that she was advised against “partisan party affiliation and lobbying” by her federal employer prior to supervisory approval next week.
Coroner challenger Tamela Cooper
Towns County coroner candidate Tamela Cooper, who holds a degree in moratory science, was first to speak. The funeral home owner-director serves as a deputy coroner under Towns County Coroner Harold Copeland. “Since my initial training in 2013, I have attended six different annual, in-service trainings, and have taken both of their specialty classes, personalized classes. in photography and blood splatter,” Cooper said in part. “I have worked over 150 cases in the Towns County coroner’s office, and I’ve cared for over 750 decedents at my funeral home. I have worked everything from heart attacks, strokes, and car accidents, suicides, drug overdoses, and unfortunately, child fatalities. And I use the knowledge I gained in college courses and seven years I have in experience on every case I step on…If we were standing here tonight and talking about a fire chief position, you would not see me here…One of the things I do want to bring to light is that as it stands right now if we were to have a mass fatality situation, we have a fire chief and a coroner that would be working both search and rescue and fatalities. Those two positions, in my belief, need to be different. One person can’t possibly handle all of that if we were to have that situation in our town.”
Coroner incumbent Harold Copeland
Towns County Coroner Harold “H” Copeland followed. Copeland ran unopposed in 2016, securing the seat without competition. The fire chief stated that he initially decided to run for office based on past wait time for a coroner to arrive on the scene. “The coroner business is a brutal business,” Copeland said. “It’s like (Cooper) said when we come to your house; I’ve worked four cases this month, that’s four cases too many. And it’s not fun when we come to your house because somebody’s grandpa, somebody’s mama, somebody’s child is there. So I believe in getting in there and treating the family with respect, moving on about what has to be done, and calling Cochran’s or Banister’s which leads me to another deal,” Copeland said, falling short of alleging that Cooper’s position as a funeral home director may constitute a conflict of interest.
Click to read: Cooper addresses ‘conflict of interest’ in coroner’s race
Sheriff candidate Jim Couch
Towns County sheriff candidates next addressed the full house.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Captain Jim Couch alphabetically led the preliminary forum. Couch began by recounting his law enforcement experience which began in 1978, including success with youth cadet involvement. “Here, I’d love to start that same program. It’s real easy to do…,” Couch said. “Now I’m with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office. I’m a captain. Right now I supervise 18 personnel. That’s patrol, investigations, school resource officers, court services. All those personnel, I do supervise. Four more are part-timers. Before that in White County, I supervised up to 30 personnel. I know how to supervise folks.” Couch, who announced candidacy following Sheriff Chris Clinton’s withdraw from re-election, said that officers enjoy working under his leadership because he does not “yell” at them. “I support my people, and I’ll do what I need to help those people advance in their career to meet their goal.” Couch concluded by stating that he is not looking inside the sheriff’s office, rather, he is within the sheriff’s office looking forward.
Sheriff candidate Craig Earon
Craig Earon, the newest sheriff’s candidate, followed Couch. “Five years ago my wife and I moved here to Hiawassee from Gainesville, GA. We found this location to be paradise,” Earon began. “I’ve been retired for seven years and, of course, I get underfoot at the house and my wife wanted me to find something else to do, and I am running for sheriff. I have a background working with most of the federal agencies; FBI, NSA, the U.S. Patent Trade Office, primarily security stuff for their systems. I’ve always enjoyed my work with long hours and never afraid to put in the extra hours necessary.” Earon said that his work history includes Fortune 500 employment, and explained that his law enforcement experience consisted of assisting an officer with warrant delivery in Norcross, GA. “I’m a quick learner. I do not have a law enforcement background, but I can tell you, I’m a quick study and I’m willing to put the hours in to get it done…When I heard that Chris Clinton was leaving, I wanted to at least throw my hat in to try to fill the void, and I believe I can do that.” Earon closed with a Ronald Reagan quote on law enforcement.
Sheriff candidate Kenneth Henderson
Next up was sheriff’s contender Kenneth “Ode” Henderson. “If I’m elected your sheriff, I want to make sure that our officers are getting at least 40 hours of training each year,” Henderson said. “Now, Georgia only mandates that we do 20 hours, but I want to make sure we do at least 40. I hope that we can do more than that.” The Young Harris College police chief noted implementing “community-orientated type training,” along with the continuation of CLEA. Henderson stated that he plans to work in cooperation with local and surrounding law enforcement agencies, and intends to maintain state accreditation. The sheriff’s candidate spoke on creating a local, anonymous drug hotline and applying funds from seizures as reward incentives. Henderson reiterated wanting to change the pattern of current patrol cars to black-and-white to increase visibility and the value of a cadet program. “I want to reach out to our young folks. I want to work with them. I’ve done that for 38 years and have wonderful rapport with our students in working with them and want to do that in Towns County with ours. I want to keep drugs away from them, and we’re going to hire professional drug agents…If you’re selling drugs in Towns County, Towns County Sheriff’s Office is coming for you, and I promise you that. That will be our number one priority.” Henderson assured that he will enact an open-door policy if elected.
Sheriff candidate Lisa Joseph
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Lisa Joseph addressed constituents. “I do not bring as many years of experience to the road as some of my opponents,” Joseph explained. “What I do bring to the table is I have two Master’s degrees. I have a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Education, and you may ask yourself, what does that mean to you? What it should mean to you is that I can teach law enforcement as it applies today.” Joseph claimed that if law enforcement is conducted the way it was in past decades, it could lead to “lawsuits or jail time,” adding that a “fresh” approach is needed. “Law enforcement changed and we have to be able to change with it.” The patrol deputy said that animal control is an issue raised regularly in the community. “That’s a simple issue that all of us, including the commissioner’s office, can work together to have animal control,” Joseph said, moving on to say that she intends to retain the “high standards” within the sheriff’s office, including state accreditation.
Sheriff candidate Daren Osborn
Lastly, sheriff candidate Daren “Bear” Osborn took the podium. “I’ve lived here in Towns County my entire life, born and raised here. I’ve been in law enforcement for 33 years,” Osborn began, listing experience serving with several departments and education in management and supervisor training. “I know why many of you moved here…We, as citizens of Towns County, want to keep our county safe, do we not? That’s why we moved here, and I am running for sheriff to keep this county safe. We have crime. It’s no secret. We have crime everywhere, and we’re going to attend to that problem. Drugs are our number one problem here in the county, and when you have drugs, you have thefts and burglaries. I’m an investigator in Union County at this time, lieutenant over property crimes,” Osborn said. “You have it in Towns County, you have it in Union County. I am, when elected sheriff, going to get back into the drug task force, actively. I’m not going to sit on the sidelines and let drugs take over this beautiful community.” Osborn acknowledged that opponent Henderson is equally passionate on the subject of drug enforcement. “Either one of us are going after the drugs. I guarantee you.” Osborn shared that his brother was killed in a car accident, the result of a driver being under the influence of drugs. “You can say it’s personal. Yeah, it’s personal. I don’t like drugs. I don’t like drivers that’s on the road drinking. I’m not going to tolerate that.” Osborn added that our youth is our future, and vowed to work “day and night” to “stop the problem we have here.”
Towns County GOP Chair Betsy Young led the meeting.
Retiring Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton did not attend the meeting.
All contenders plan to run on the Republican ticket in the General Primary, May 19.
A sheriff candidates’ forum is scheduled Saturday, March 14, at 6 p.m. at Towns County Schools. Doors open at 5 p.m. Official qualification takes place the week of March 2, 2020.
Related Archive:
Couch’s history surfaces as sheriff’s election heats up
Election, News February 4, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – As qualification for the Towns County sheriff’s election approaches, FYN received information on the law enforcement career of Jim Couch, a contender for Office of Sheriff, from separate opponents.
A received document contained a press release from Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Commander Capt. Keith Canup concerning an alleged mishandling of the 2015 Southern Worthersee (SoWo) car rally by former Helen Police Chief Couch. Canup stated that there was “no traffic plan in place, there was no plan to deal with the large crowds, nor was there a contingency plan to deal with civil disorder” despite the city previously hosting the popular event.
According to media coverage, over 2,800 people were “out of control,” breaking vehicle windows and attempting to overturn a rollback tow truck, while hurling rocks and bottles at officers, and committing acts of vandalism. Approximately 28,000 participants were reported as present at the rally.
“Chief Couch was told upfront that the role of GSP would be to make sure the mayhem did not spill out into the surrounding county and the Troopers would not actively patrol the town, or police his streets,” Capt. Canup said, in part, in the press release. “Our goal was to prevent the mountainous roads outside Helen from becoming race tracks, to prevent reckless conduct in general, and to apprehend drunk drivers. I felt that a lawless environment was created and allowed to exist for the sake of tourism. Had the SOWO crowd descended upon Helen uninvited GSP would have gladly taken the lead on maintaining order, but that was simply not the case…
“Had the Georgia State Patrol entered the town we could not have stood idly by and condoned the illegal and reckless activities that were being encouraged without taking enforcement action. We certainly would not have signed off on closing a state highway without the existence of an emergency circumstance warranting such action. I understand the state route was closed by Chief Couch for the purpose of allowing the SOWO cars to do burnouts. State Troopers aren’t wired to allow the law to be broken a little bit. You can’t have the presence of Troopers absence the presence of enforcement. They are one in the same.”
Click to read the full statement from Georgia State Patrol
FYN provided Couch, who hired a Gainesville public relations firm to manage his 2020 sheriff’s campaign, an opportunity to respond to the state law enforcement agency’s assessment of the situation.
“As a law enforcement professional for more than 40 years, my first and foremost priority has always been the safety of the residents of the communities I serve as well as the officers who work with me, whom I have dedicated my life to protecting,” Couch’s statement reads in full. “As anyone in this profession may understand, there are moments when one must calmly and rationally assess a situation and do what is best for the safety of all involved parties in order to keep the peace.
Jim Couch (center) with retiring Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton (left) and retiring White County Sheriff Neal Walden at Couch’s Jan. 25 campaign meet-&-greet.
“During my time as the Chief of Police in Helen, there was an occurrence that required me to put my experience in law enforcement to use. Following the 2015 Southern Worthersee event, which is a large annual gathering of car enthusiasts, some number of those gathered became unruly as the night progressed, eventually forcing one road to be closed due to their presence. I assessed the surroundings and the individuals involved and took what I believed to be the best and safest avenue for all involved by making my request for them to disperse and allowing those gathered a short time to comply with this request. As a peace officer, I believed then and still believe that it was my duty to obtain order and minimize any possibility of damage or violence toward businesses, residences or individuals in Helen.
“I believe it takes a calm and level head to maintain peace during a situation of rising tension, and I do not doubt that I did what was right in that situation at the time. I regret any miscommunication that resulted in unwarranted criticism of GSP’s role or the actions of its Troopers. I appreciate all the law enforcement officers and agencies that worked together that night to ensure this situation was handled in a way that best protected our community, its residents and those gathered. It has been and continues to be my privilege to be in a career of service, and I look forward to serving Towns County today and in the days and years to come.”
Participants described the SoWo event – which was prohibited from returning to Helen by city leaders – as chaotic and riotous. “It was a madhouse when we were there during the day,” an attendee wrote on social media shortly after the event. “I am glad we weren’t there at night.”
Couch, who currently serves as a captain with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, resigned from his position as Helen’s police chief two months after the rally took place.
Sheriff candidate says improved patrol is needed
Election, News January 31, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Young Harris Police Chief Kenneth “Ode” Henderson, a contender for Towns County sheriff, spoke with the Mountain Movers and Shakers, Friday, Jan. 31. at Sundance Grill. Henderson has served as a law enforcement officer for 35 years, currently serving as chief of police at Young Harris College and as an officer with the City of McCaysville.
Henderson touched on several issues during the morning meeting, which was brimming to near-capacity with constituents.
“The State of Georgia says that I need 20 hours of training a year to keep my certification,” Henderson began. “I don’t think that’s enough. I think our officers need more training. I think nothing less than 40 (hours), if not more. I think that our officers need more training.” Henderson said that a variety of resources, as well as low-to-no cost training, is available to law enforcement officers through the State.
“Drugs will be my number one priority. All crime is a priority, but drugs are something we’ve got to address,” the Young Harris police chief stated, drawing applause from the crowd. Henderson added that an in-house drug agent is needed within the department.
Henderson fielded several questions from the Mountain Movers and Shakers, including one from Shirley Clinton, the mother of and executive secretary to retiring Sheriff Chris Clinton. “I think this is the best sheriff’s office we’ve ever had, so what would you do to improve on what’s already there, and where would you get the funds to do it?” Clinton asked the candidate.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Executive Secretary Shirley Clinton with Road Patrol Captain Jim Couch, a candidate for sheriff.
“Well, I think we have to expand on that,” Henderson responded. “I think we have a good sheriff’s department, and like I said, I’m not here to point fingers at anybody, but I think as far as expanding on that, we have to also keep in mind our budget. We’ve got to stay within that budget, and I think that working with our commissioner, we keep within our budget, and you know, we move along, making sure we’re getting all the professional training that we can get, and keeping our guys as best as we can with training,”
Henderson emphasized the importance of cooperating with outside law enforcement agencies and working toward involvement with the community. The sheriff’s contender said that he plans to implement a cadet program for youth if elected. More so, Henderson included that he would compile a list of elderly residents to ensure their well-being by checking on them daily. “If we call and you don’t answer, we’re going to be up there to see why you didn’t answer,” Henderson assured.
Henderson raised the topic of patrol duties within the sheriff’s office.
“I’ve been out on the trail and talking to people. I’ve actually had people tell me that they have not seen a law car in their community in a year. I’ve had several people tell me that on Gumlog, that they have not seen a car, a law enforcement car in their area in a year. That’s not going to happen, guys,” Henderson said, adding that he will assign patrol units to communities. “And about one day a month, I’m going to try to go out and talk to the citizens and the people and say. ‘Hey, you seeing law cars? If not, it’s gonna change.’ That’s our job. It’s not our job to ride Hiawassee to Young Harris and back again, ok? That’s not doing the job.”
Henderson added that the patrol vehicles would be altered to black and white to increase visibility.
Henderson concluded by assuring the citizens that he supports the Second Amendment. “I will stand with the people of Towns County against anybody that would attempt to take your rights to the Second Amendment away,” the candidate vowed. “I would never, never stand with anybody or law that would go against your Second Amendment.”
Henderson added that if elected, he will strive to make Towns County Sheriff’s Office the best in Georgia. “I will not let you down. I will do the job, and I will do it well, and we will once again have a good sheriff’s department that’s respected.”
Due to time constraints, Mountain Movers and Shakers announced that Henderson would be invited to deliver a future address. Towns County sheriff’s candidates Daren “Bear” Osborn, who spoke at last week’s session, and Jim Couch attended the meeting.
Towns County GOP targeted in ‘egging’ attack, signs reported stolen
News January 27, 2020
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – FYN received information on Jan. 27 that the Towns Republican Party headquarters in Young Harris was targeted in an overnight “egging” incident. FYN spoke with Towns County GOP Chairwoman Besty Young, with Young stating that she is “shocked” by the political attack. “In all my years in politics, I have never had anything like an egging happen before,” Young said, concerned that the incident could be the start of an escalating situation.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Terry Conner confirmed that an incident report was taken by a responding deputy and that the matter will be followed up with an investigation. Conner said that the offense is related to criminal trespass, given the fact that less than an estimated $500 in property damage occurred.
Young later informed FYN that a sheriff’s office investigator collected the eggshells from the scene to process as evidence.
FYN was additionally contacted by Jeanie Loiacono, an office volunteer for the Towns County Republican Pary. Loiacono reported that Trump campaign signs have been disappearing from the area. Loiacono said that the issue was brought to the attention of Towns County Sheriff’s Office Captian Jim Couch over the weekend at the candidate’s meet-and-greet event, with Couch advising the public to report the theft of campaign signage to authorities. “I guarantee that Couch is going be the next sheriff,” the GOP volunteer began, adding that the allegedly stolen Trump signs were secured with zip ties to prevent wind damage and deter theft. “If the signs are stolen from private property and the people are caught, it’s criminal trespass.”
FYN reached out to the Towns County Democratic Party, offering an opportunity to weigh-in on the alleged , overnight attack. The Towns County Democrats did not respond to FYN’s request for comment prior to publication.
It should be noted that no assumptions as to who may be responsible for perpetrating the incident were issued by the Towns County Republican Party.
“Throwing perishables in protest has a long and often illustrious history,” the Guardian reported in 2015. “In AD63 the Roman governor Vespasian was pelted with turnips by subjects fed up with his punitive policies. Eggs made an appearance in the middle ages when prisoners were regularly put in stocks and pelted with them. Elizabethan theatre-goers threw rotten eggs to protest against bad acting, which some might say is not so dissimilar to their use in the theatre of politics today. And in Middlemarch, set in the 1830s, George Eliot was familiar enough with the practice to subject Mr. Brooke to the humiliating fate of a substantial egging during an election speech: “Here an unpleasant egg broke on Mr. Brooke’s shoulder… then came a hail of eggs, chiefly aimed at the image, but occasionally hitting the original, as if by chance.”
Sheriff candidates sound off on future 2A sanctuary
News January 26, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Two of the five contenders in the Towns County sheriff’s race have taken bold postures on the popular pro-Second Amendment Sanctuary County movement sweeping Georgia. Sheriff candidates Daren “Bear” Osborn and Linda J. Curtis made their positions clear on social media following FYN’s publication of Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw’s support on the action.
Commissioner Bradshaw stated on Jan. 22 that he is delaying the measure prior to the election of Towns County’s future sheriff later this year. “We’ll obviously need the support of the sheriff’s office to move forward,” Bradshaw told FYN, referencing the upcoming retirement of current Sheriff Chris Clinton. The commissioner’s response to the issue drew ample approval from grateful Towns County residents.
“Again, as sheriff, I will fully support any and all state and local officials in making Towns County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County,” Osborn reiterated on Jan. 23.
Daren “Bear” Osborn began speaking out on the issue prior to the commissioner’s public support.
Curtis followed suit two days later. “I stand behind our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms,” Curtis vowed in a written statement. “They will have to physically remove me from office before I would hurt the residents of Towns County with an unconstitutional order to remove our guns. Not on my watch…EVER!” Curtis has been active in condoning the hot topic in a newly-formed Facebook group, Georgia 2A Sanctuary Counties.
Linda Curtis, candidate for Towns County sheriff
The pro-Second Amendment group has grown to include over 23,000 members in a mere week’s time. Candidate Kenneth “Ode” Henderson, in addition to contender Jim Couch, has joined the viral group of gun rights supporters, although neither contestant has publicly voiced their personal positions on the matter. Couch, however, shared earlier this month on his social media page that he stands “with the position of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association regarding our Second Amendment rights.”
The fifth candidate to enter the Towns County sheriff’s race, Lisa Joseph, has remained silent pertaining to the matter thus far.
The Second Amendment Sanctuary County movement gained swift traction in Georgia following the widely controversial “red flag” law recently introduced in Virginia. The purpose of a sanctuary county is to ensure that a locality will not use law enforcement resources to execute proposed antigun laws.
UPDATE: Georgia 2A Sanctuary Counties has since renamed itself Georgia Citizen Defense League Group
Sheriff’s wife blames victim’s brother for fatal crash
News January 14, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The death of Terry Silvers, a Hiawassee resident who was killed in a fatal accident early last year, appears fresh in the minds of many Towns County citizens as the 2020 sheriff’s campaign cycle advances. Mark Silvers, the brother of the famed victim, responded to an announcement of Cpl. Lisa Joseph‘s bid for sheriff, connecting the candidate to her husband, Cpl. Greg Joseph, the Towns County deputy who drew widespread media attention due to his involvement, or lack thereof, in Silvers’ tragic death.
The deadly crash, which many believe could have been prevented by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, left a 911 caller who witnessed the accident emotionally scarred, and a grandmother and grandchild injured.
Click for Terry Silvers’ archives
In response to Mark Silvers’ disapproval of Deputy Lisa Joseph’s candidacy, Crystal Clinton – the wife of retiring Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton – lashed out on FYN’s social media, holding the victim’s grieving brother accountable for Terry Silvers’ demise. “Why didn’t you stop him? YOU are the person responsible for his death,” the sheriff’s wife emphasized. Members of the victim’s family, as well as others, reacted with shock to the elected official wife’s callous remark, telling FYN that the comment caused anguish.
Ms. Clinton caused a similar reaction from Silvers’ family and friends in November, changing her social media profile image to a photograph of the victim, adding that it was meant for those so “concerned.”
The sheriff’s wife changed her profile picture to that of Terry Silvers, causing the victim’s family what they described as further grief.
Furthermore, Ms. Clinton referenced a live interview conducted by FYN with Mark Silvers shortly after his brother’s death. During the interview, Silvers stated that while he knew that his brother was in no condition to drive on the evening of his death, and advised him not to leave the residence, his now-deceased brother was defiant. “I figured if I called the law on him, they’d let him go again,” Silvers told FYN last spring, referencing multiple occasions that the sheriff’s office had released his drug-addicted sibling without charges.
Click to hear interview with Mark Silvers
This is not the first time that Sheriff Clinton’s wife has made headlines, however, with Ms. Clinton falsely accusing an appointed official of being a convicted felon last fall, along with defamatory allegations fired at a contender in the sheriff’s race.
Click for Crystal Clinton archive
Furthermore, numerous individuals – some of whom served as officers under Sheriff Clinton’s leadership – have questioned the agenda of two Towns County sheriff deputies who have recently announced candidacy for Office of Sheriff in the 2020 election. While both candidates have received support, others believe that their bid may be an extension of the retiring sheriff’s ruffled reign, with Ms. Clinton’s recent outburst seemingly solidifying the concept in their minds.
On Jan. 13, FYN requested an interview with Towns County Capt. Jim Couch, who announced his bid for sheriff last week. The sheriff’s candidate declined, stating that he did not want to “get in the middle” of unrelated controversy surrounding the highly-contested sheriff’s race at this time. Towns County Cpl. Lisa Joseph has not responded to FYN’s invitation to interview.
Sheriff’s candidate Linda Curtis expressed disapproval over the handling of the Silvers’ case by the agency during a Jan. 7 conversation with FYN, recalling that the Towns County Sheriff’s Office did not accept responsibility for their role in the incident nor alter its policies thereafter. Curtis added that Heather Cassidy Segars – the 911 caller who faced an online attack from Ms. Clinton following the notorious 2019 accident – should be “commended” for her heroic attempt to prevent the fatal collision.
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Capt. Jim Couch announces bid for Towns County Sheriff
Election, Press Release January 9, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
HIAWASSEE, Ga.— Building upon an entire career of public service as a law enforcement leader, Jim Couch is pleased to announce his candidacy for Office of Sheriff of Towns County.
Currently a captain with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Couch brings 41 years of wide-ranging law enforcement experience, including in large metro departments as well as small and medium communities.
“It has been an honor for me to serve the people of Towns County,” Couch said. “I feel that my years of experience uniquely qualify me to lead the Towns County Sheriff’s Office into the next decade. I am confident that my knowledge and training will allow me to structure and prepare the agency to manage the growth that is inevitable in this area.”
Towns County’s primary election is May 19 with the General election set for November 3.
Couch will run as a Republican. Couch began his law enforcement career in 1978 as a dispatcher with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. In the early years of his career, after graduating from North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy, he worked for several metro Atlanta departments including M.A.R.T.A Police Department, Cobb County and Marietta Police Departments, and Douglasville and Powder Springs Police Departments.
He and his family have been North Georgia residents since 1996, when he accepted a position with the White County Sheriff’s Office under the leadership of Sheriff Neal Walden. Prior to that he was employed with the Fulton County Marshal’s Department as a Deputy Marshal/Sergeant. He also served with the Georgia Army National Guard from 1986-1994 and was called to active duty in 1990-1991 during Desert Shield/Storm. Couch received an Honorable Discharge in 1994.
While at the White County Sheriff’s Office, he was named Captain/Patrol Division Commander before accepting the position of Police Chief with the City of Helen in 2012. In 2015, Couch accepted a position with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office where he serves as Captain over Field Operations under the leadership of Sheriff Chris Clinton.
“My wife Julie and I are proud to call Towns County home,” Couch said. “We are deeply invested in this area, and I understand how important the bonds of a community can be for families. As we now look at our adult children raising their own kids, I want to make sure I do all I can to help build safer, healthier communities for the people of Towns County.”
Click to read: Couch’s history surfaces as sheriff’s election heats up
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