The Peace Officers Association of Georgia collection includes videos and transcripts of oral history interviews with retired and active duty law enforcement officers. Faculty and Students (undergraduate and graduate) from the Georgia Southern History Department conducted the interviews from 2014-18. The goal of the collection is to document the evolution of law enforcement in Georgia and to educate the public.
Related Collections: Peace Officers Association of Georgia Records
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Interview with Stan Elrod
James C. Wright
Interview conducted by James C. Wright at the 2019 POAG Convention, Marriot Riverfront hotel in Savannah. Stan began his career as a Game Warden immediately after graduating college and was voted Game Warden of the Year in 1999. His job has taken him to several offices and locations throughout the state. In this interview, Stan discusses some of the stressors in being a Game Warden and the dangers associated with nature conservation.
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Interview with Tom Davis
Michael Van Wagenen and James C. Wright
Interview conducted by Michael Van Wagenen at the 2019 POAG Convention, Marriot Riverfront hotel in Savannah. Tom started his law enforcement career with the GBI in 1982 and retired after 30 years of service. He was also the Assistant Venue Commander for Centennial Park at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. In this interview, Tom discusses the Centennial Park bombing and changes he has seen in law enforcement during his tenure.
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Interview with Chris G. Wigginton
Anna McIntyre
Interview conducted by Anna McIntyre at the Savannah Marriot Riverfront hotel on August 21, 2018. Chris started his law enforcement career with the Carrolton Police Department in 1993 and joined the Georgia State Patrol in 1995. He further became an instructor at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in 2014. In this interview, Chris discusses the changes he has seen in law enforcement technology and some of his most memorable cases as a trooper.
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Interview with Christopher T. Hodge
Anna McIntyre
Interview conducted by Anna McIntyre at the Savannah Marriot Riverfront hotel on August 21, 2018. Chris started his law enforcement career as a Game Warden in 2000 and, at the time of this video, currently serves as Captain of the Macon office. He comes from a family of law enforcement officers and believes it is in his blood. In this interview, Chris elaborates on the technological changes he has seen in his career and the expectations the public has about law enforcement.
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Interview with Dr. Rick Lanford
Anna McIntyre
Interview conducted by Anna McIntyre at the Savannah Marriot Riverfront hotel on August 20, 2018. Dr. Lanford attended seminary at Emory University and began his law enforcement ministry with the Newton County Sheriff Office in 1981. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather have all been affiliated with law enforcement, so Dr. Lanford counts the field as a family legacy. In this interview, he discusses the stress that police chaplains and officers face every day and the family environment among peace officers.
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Interview with Eric D. Gaustad
Anna McIntyre
Interview conducted by Anna McIntyre at the POAG Conference in the Savannah Marriot Riverfront hotel on August 21, 2018. Eric began his law enforcement career as a military policeman with the U.S. Marines and transitioned to civilian law enforcement in 2000. His grandfather was a deputy in Montana in the 1920s. In this interview, Eric discusses the changes he has seen in technology and how it has affected law enforcement.
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Interview with Garry Moore
Anna McIntyre
Interview conducted by Anna McIntyre at the POAG Conference at the Savannah Marriot Riverfront hotel on August 21, 2018. Garry retired from the GBI as an investigator after 25 years of service. He also served his country simultaneously in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years. In this interview, Garry discusses the progressive role of technology and the importance of becoming active in the community.
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Interview with George A. Ellis
Anna McIntyre
Interview conducted by Anna McIntyre at the POAG Conference at the Savannah Marriot Riverfront hotel on August 21, 2018. George is a retired Colonel of the Georgia State Troopers with 34 years of service. He comes from a law enforcement family, as his father was the Chief of Police in Milledgeville for 25 years. In this interview, George discusses his experiences on the road and in strategic planning for several special events throughout Georgia.
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Interview with Gregory A. Ramey
Anna McIntyre
Interview conducted by Anna McIntyre in Savannah, Georgia, on August 21, 2018. Greg joined the Georgia Bureau of Investigations in 1985 and has throughouly enjoyed his job. He originally wanted to be a Game Warden, but found his calling in investigations. In this interview, Greg discusses his faith and inspirations in law enforcement, as well as some of his most memorable cases such as the Tristate Crematory case.
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Interview with John "Dal" Cannady
Anna McIntyre
Interview conducted by Anna McIntyre at the Savannah Marriot Riverfront hotel on August 20, 2018. Dal works for the Savannah news as the media liaison to law enforcement. He has spent his career networking with law enforcement throughout the state. In this interview, Dal discusses the trust officers place in giving him information, as well as some of his most memorable stories such as the "Tomato Patch Murder."
