The former chief deputy of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office will be running to oust his former boss, according to a press release.
Lewis Blanchard planned to officially announce his bid during a Thursday night event at First Liberty Market in Waynesboro. He said he planned to unveil his vision if elected to replace Sheriff Alfonzo Williams.
Blanchard served for four years as the Chief Deputy of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office before retiring to seek opportunities in business. In a press release, he listed several accomplishments during his tenure at the sheriff’s office, including making transparency a cornerstone, providing monthly reports to the commission, managing budgets, acquiring grants from private companies and governmental funding and generating high employee recruitment and retention rates.
Blanchard said he also implemented DDACTS Policing that decreased violent and property crimes and started community service programs within Taliaferro and Richmond County prior to bringing these same programs to Burke County. Those programs included Citizens Police Academy, Citizens Firearms Training, Thanksgiving Give-Aways, Kids & Cops Camps, and providing Santa & Toys for all local children through donations.
Blanchard began his law enforcement career in 1990 as a campus police officer in Columbia County schools. He went on to serve as the chief for the CCBOE Police, along with key roles within the Taliaferro County and Richmond County sheriff’s offices.
Blanchard has also started several successful businesses, which he said has provided him with valuable experience in budgeting, leadership, and problem-solving.
Sheriff Williams announced his re-election bid a month ago, saying he had made monumental strides over the past two terms in office.
“Namely, fear of crime and crime itself is down well below the state and national averages,” Williams said. “We strengthened our community engagement through high-quality crime prevention and community-policing efforts. We leverages our partnerships and relationships with community stakeholders to create greater public trust and citizen satisfaction with local law enforcement.”
Williams is facing a probe by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
