top of page
Freeman, Ron-5.jpg

RON H. FREEMAN, SHERIFF

SheriffRonFreeman@forsythco.com

Assuming office on January 1, 2017, Ron was elected Sheriff of Forsyth County on November 8, 2016. He began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1987 under then Sheriff Wesley Walraven. He rose through the ranks rising to a senior Commander when he was recruited in 2013 to start the newly formed Brookhaven Police Department in Atlanta. After building that Police Department for 2 years, Ron returned home to Forsyth County and is honored to serve as Sheriff. In addition to Sheriff, he is the current 2nd Vice President of the Geogia Sheriffs Association and an appointed board member and past chair of the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

 

Sheriff Freeman's family has a long history in Georgia law enforcement. His father served as a Savannah Police Officer and Deputy Sheriff in Screven County. His uncles served as the Chief of Police at the Chatham County Police Department and the other as the Chief Deputy of the Screven County Sheriff’s Office. Together they have over 130 years of Georgia law enforcement service.

 

Sheriff Freeman holds a Master of Public Administration and has attended numerous executive training programs including the 197th session of the FBI National Academy, the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, and the National Sheriffs Institute. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Dana, both graduated from Forsyth County High School. He and Dana have two adult children who graduated from North Forsyth High.

2017-Present       Sheriff, Forsyth County, Georgia

2019-Present       Georgia Sheriff's Association

Executive Board - 2nd Vice President

2018-Present       Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

Past Chairman

2013 – 2014         Brookhaven Police Department-Brookhaven/Atlanta, GA

Deputy Chief of Police

2006 – 2013         Forsyth County Sheriff - Cumming, GA

Commander, South Precinct

2001 – 2006         Forsyth County Sheriff's Office - Cumming, GA

Chief of Detectives/ Asst. SWAT Commander

1995 – 2001         Forsyth County Sheriff's Office-Cumming, GA

Training/Professional Standards Director/Lieutenant

1987 - 1995         Forsyth County Sheriff's Office - Cumming, GA

Deputy/Investigative Supervisor/Corporal

  • Education includes Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Public Safety Leadership, Associate of Criminal Justice

  • FBI National Academy Graduate, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development School, Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, Tennessee Law Enforcement Executive Development, National Sheriffs Institute

  • Executive Board, FBI National Academy, Past President

  • Executive Board, GA Sheriffs Association, 2nd Vice President

  • Current or past local Board of Directors with Family Haven, Bald Ridge Boys Lodge, CASA of Forsyth, LEADER, United Way Community Grants, First Baptist Church, North Forsyth Football Booster Club

Personal History

  • Married to Dana Freeman

  • 2 adult children

  • Forsyth County resident since 1981

 

Experience

  • Sheriff of Forsyth County, 2017 – Present

  • Vice-Chair, Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council 2018-Present

  • Deputy Chief, Brookhaven Police 2013-2014

  • Past President, Georgia FBI National Academy Associates

  • South Precinct Commander Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office 2006-2013

  • Chief of Detectives & SWAT, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office 2001-2006

  • Director of Training and Professional Standards 1995-2001

  • Lieutenant, Watch Commander

  • Detective Corporal

  • Deputy Sheriff 

 

Education

  • Master of Public Administration, University of Phoenix

  • Bachelor’s Degree, Organizational Leadership, Reinhardt University

  • Associate’s Degree, Criminal Justice, Gainesville College

  • Forsyth County High School, 1987 Graduate

 

Management Training

  • FBI National Academy, Class 197

  • FBI Law Enforcement Executive Leadership

  • National Sheriff’s Institute 116th Session

  • Georgia Sheriff’s Association, Sheriff’s Elect Academy

  • Command College Class 18, Columbus State University

  • Tennessee Law Enforcement Executive Development Course

  • UGA Carl Vinson Institute Management for Local Government 

​
 

​

Professional Development Certifications

  • Sheriff Executive, P.O.S.T.

  • Executive Certification, P.O.S.T.

  • Management Certification, P.O.S.T.

​​

Advanced Training Certifications

  • Management Level 1-3

  • SWAT 

  • Marksman/Observer, GPSTC

  • Officer Survival Instructor, Metro Dade, Florida

  • Criminal Investigations Management

 

Instructor Certifications

  • Firearms Instructor

  • Senior POST Instructor

  • Defensive Tactics Instructor

  • Officer Survival Instructor

  • Multi-Weapons Firearms Instructor

 

Community Involvement

  • Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce 

  • Rotary Club of South Forsyth 

  • CASA of Forsyth Board of Directors

  • LEADER of Forsyth Board of Directors

  • Past Board Member, Family Haven & Bald Ridge Boys Lodge

  • Past Deacon and member of First Baptist Church Cumming

  • Youth Football Coach

 

Awards

  • Medal of Valor

  • Medal of Merit

  • Sheriff’s Commendation Award

  • Officer of the Year

  • Honor Graduate Session 84th session, NE Ga Police Academy

bottom of page