Candidate for Franklin Co Sheriff Brian Stovall Outlines Platform

Candidate for Franklin County Sheriff Brian Stovall said if elected one of his priorities will be to reduce the drug trafficking and resulting crime in the County.

Speaking Thursday to WLHR News, Stovall, who is a former Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy, said the problem of drugs and drug trafficking isn’t just localized to one area of Franklin County.

He said if elected he would form a special Drug Investigation Unit.

On the other side of the illegal drug issue is the problem of drug use and how to help those addicted. Stoval said helping people get off drugs is also a priority for him if he’s elected.

And it’s no secret that drug trafficking in Franklin County is contributing to an overflowing County jail. Stovall said if elected he would work with the County Commissioners to come up with a way to build a new detention center.

Stovall served as a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy for 10 years after graduating from the Georgia Police Academy in 2008 and served on their I-85 Criminal Interdiction Team.

He left the force in 2017 to focus full-time on his poultry and cattle farm which he has owned for the past 20 years as well as his grading company.

However, Stovall said that after much prayer he felt a call to return to law enforcement.

“I believe my experiences as a businessman and a law enforcement officer make me the right candidate,” he said in his press release announcing his candidacy. “As a business owner, I gained valuable experience in maintaining budgets and fiscal responsibility. I treat my employees like family and take each of them into consideration with every decision I make. I will bring this same mentality to our Sheriff’s Office.”

“As your Sheriff, I will be an excellent steward of taxpayer’s money,” Stovall continued. “I will uphold the laws of the State of Georgia and the Constitution of the United States while protecting the citizens of Franklin County. I have been able to ethically grow two businesses simultaneously and I will bring the same foundations of ethical and financial stewardship to our Sheriff’s Office.”

Stovall pointed to his time working patrol on I-85 which he said educated him on the types of evil that travel the highways, moving through or even stopping in Franklin County, and he said he knows the hazards deputies face each day as they work to protect citizens.

“I spent most of my time working patrol on I-85. I know firsthand what types of evil travel the highway, moving through or even stopping in our county. I have been in the trenches protecting the good people of Franklin County from the dangers that come from outside. I know the hazards our deputies face as they work to protect you. I am ready to lead and equip them to keep you and your family safe. As our county is facing growth and outside influences now more than ever, I can assure you that I will lead the Sheriff’s Office with integrity and professionalism, guided by principles and morals,” he said.

“To my fellow First Responders, EMS, Police Departments, and Firefighters: I will be a sheriff who supports your work. As your Sheriff, I will increase the cooperation and communication among our agencies,” Stovall said. “I will provide the resources needed. I will work tirelessly to establish county-wide safety for you to do your jobs. In 2009 I was presented with the MADD Georgia Statewide Rookie of the Year. Throughout my time with the sheriff’s office, I was presented with numerous other awards. I will bring statewide recognition back to the men and women of this great county.”

Stovall added that over the last few months, he has heard from many who are worried about the future of Franklin County and the Sheriff’s Office.

“Concerned citizens continue to request that I consider taking on this task. The public’s call for me to serve is too great for me to ignore. I am willing to sacrifice my finances, my time, and my personal life to make our county a safer place to live and work. This is where I was raised and it is where my wife and I will raise our children. It is my home. I am stepping up to defend it,” he said. “In the coming months, we will talk at length about improving school safety, preventing neighborhood crime, deterring outside criminals, eliminating the drug epidemic, maintaining the budget, improving the compensation of our employees, transparency, and how the Sheriff’s Office can meet your needs as a citizen of this great county. Public safety involves all of us. Together we will build a safer community for your family and mine.

“In the meantime, I will leave you with this: As a man, I pride myself on maintaining my integrity. To that end, there are three things I have pledged my life to: my savior, my family, and the constitution. As your sheriff, I promise I will not violate my oath to those. I will be a sheriff who leads and serves. I look forward to earning your vote in the coming election and every day after as the next Sheriff of Franklin County,” Stovall concluded.

Brian Stovall was born and raised in Lavonia and graduated from Franklin County High School.

He has been married to Brooke for the past 11 years and they have four children.