Editing Oglethorpe County, Georgia (section)

== Controversy ==
In June 2018, Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office came under protest after a controversial hire was made of former Athens-Clarke County Police Officer Tyler Saulters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Editor |first=Hunter Riggall {{!}} Assistant News |date=2018-06-15 |title=Policing the police: Athens residents protest Oglethorpe sheriff hiring ex-Athens cop |url=https://www.redandblack.com/athensnews/policing-the-police-athens-residents-protest-oglethorpe-sheriff-hiring-ex-athens-cop/article_a97b3032-7046-11e8-8151-e74c856ab3bf.html |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=The Red & Black |language=en}}</ref> Saulters, who was fired from ACCPD, was involved in a controversial use of deadly force with his vehicle, striking a fleeing misdemeanor suspect<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Ashley Soriano {{!}} Staff |date=2018-06-05 |title=Athens officer used 'poor judgement' when hitting fleeing suspect with car, investigation finds |url=https://www.redandblack.com/athensnews/athens-officer-used-poor-judgement-when-hitting-fleeing-suspect-with-car-investigation-finds/article_b55dcde2-6880-11e8-a3b4-4b8a267e36cb.html |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=The Red & Black |language=en}}</ref> while attempting to apprehend him in [[Athens, Georgia|Athens, GA]]. Protestors were upset that Oglethorpe County Sheriff, David Gabriel, defended the hire and the use of force by the former ACCPD officer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Editor |first=Hunter Riggall {{!}} Assistant News |date=2018-06-15 |title=Policing the police: Athens residents protest Oglethorpe sheriff hiring ex-Athens cop |url=https://www.redandblack.com/athensnews/policing-the-police-athens-residents-protest-oglethorpe-sheriff-hiring-ex-athens-cop/article_a97b3032-7046-11e8-8151-e74c856ab3bf.html |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=The Red & Black |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2021, Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Davis was arrested and charged by the [[Georgia Bureau of Investigation]] for two counts of aggravated assault.<ref>{{Cite news |last=null |title=GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/gbi-georgia-deputy-arrested-after-shooting-at-car-during-traffic-stop/24RFALCZVRB4HELCNSVKKASHQU/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref> The arrest stemmed from an on-duty use-of-force, in [[Clarke County, Georgia|Clarke County]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=null |title=GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/gbi-georgia-deputy-arrested-after-shooting-at-car-during-traffic-stop/24RFALCZVRB4HELCNSVKKASHQU/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref> Davis struck a vehicle he had already performed a traffic stop on.<ref>{{Cite news |last=null |title=GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/gbi-georgia-deputy-arrested-after-shooting-at-car-during-traffic-stop/24RFALCZVRB4HELCNSVKKASHQU/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref> After striking the vehicle, Davis discharged his duty weapon at the vehicle.<ref>{{Cite news |last=null |title=GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/gbi-georgia-deputy-arrested-after-shooting-at-car-during-traffic-stop/24RFALCZVRB4HELCNSVKKASHQU/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref> When the vehicle fled from the unprovoked and unjustified shooting by the Deputy, the deputy pursued and involved officers from the [[Athens, Georgia|Athens-Clarke County Police Department]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=null |title=GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/gbi-georgia-deputy-arrested-after-shooting-at-car-during-traffic-stop/24RFALCZVRB4HELCNSVKKASHQU/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref> ACCPD requested an investigation by the GBI, which is standard in most officer involved shootings in Georgia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=null |title=GBI: Georgia deputy arrested after shooting at car during traffic stop |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/gbi-georgia-deputy-arrested-after-shooting-at-car-during-traffic-stop/24RFALCZVRB4HELCNSVKKASHQU/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref>

In August 2024, YouTuber [[:simple:DG Hamblin|DG Hamblin]], produced interviews with a former Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Deputy about his experiences as a police officer.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=DH0E7y7vhQYe3hiz&v=fpbIBQv74wY&feature=youtu.be |title=What happened with Poulan Police Department? |date=2024-08-05 |last=DG Hamblin |access-date=2024-08-31 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=YJY2gBbdNLpxbeHn&v=TzjB0XxWQL0&feature=youtu.be |title=What happened with Poulan PD (part two) |date=2024-08-12 |last=DG Hamblin |access-date=2024-08-31 |via=YouTube}}</ref> During the interviews excessive use of force by a Sheriff's commander and failure to report that use of force was discussed as well as Sheriff's commanders' interactions with the controversial [[Poulan, Georgia|Poulan]] Police Department.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=wtAK7VC-qOtzT2CO&v=TzjB0XxWQL0&feature=youtu.be |title=What happened with Poulan PD (part two) |date=2024-08-12 |last=DG Hamblin |access-date=2024-08-31 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

On August 29, 2024, Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Deputies engaged in a pursuit with a motorcycle for a minor traffic violation (missing registration plate) inside Oglethorpe County.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Wayne |title=Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens |url=https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/crime/2024/08/30/motorcyclist-fleeing-from-deputy-killed-in-athens-in-vehicle-crash/75013836007/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Online Athens |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-30 |title=Motorcyclist crashes, dies during pursuit in Athens-Clarke County |url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/motorcyclist-crashes-dies-during-pursuit-athens-clarke-county |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=FOX 5 Atlanta |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Purcell |first=Joy |date=2024-08-30 |title=Police: Biker crashes and dies while fleeing from deputies |url=https://nowhabersham.com/biker-crashes-and-dies-while-fleeing-from-deputies/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Now Habersham |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=News |first=Classic City |date=2024-08-30 |title=Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens |url=https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/police-chase-ends-with-fatal-crash-in-athens |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Classic City News |language=en}}</ref> During the pursuit, speeds reached 100&nbsp;mph (160&nbsp;km/h).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Wayne |title=Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens |url=https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/crime/2024/08/30/motorcyclist-fleeing-from-deputy-killed-in-athens-in-vehicle-crash/75013836007/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Online Athens |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=News |first=Classic City |date=2024-08-30 |title=Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens |url=https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/police-chase-ends-with-fatal-crash-in-athens |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Classic City News |language=en}}</ref> According to the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office, the Deputy pursuing the motorcycle called the chase off inside [[Clarke County, Georgia|Clarke County]] but continued to follow the motorcycle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-30 |title=Motorcyclist crashes, dies during pursuit in Athens-Clarke County |url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/motorcyclist-crashes-dies-during-pursuit-athens-clarke-county |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=FOX 5 Atlanta |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=News |first=Classic City |date=2024-08-30 |title=Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens |url=https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/police-chase-ends-with-fatal-crash-in-athens |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Classic City News |language=en}}</ref> The motorcyclist was involved in a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Lexington Road and Woodgrove Road<ref>{{Cite web |last=News |first=Classic City |date=2024-08-30 |title=Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens |url=https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/police-chase-ends-with-fatal-crash-in-athens |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Classic City News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Wayne |title=Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens |url=https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/crime/2024/08/30/motorcyclist-fleeing-from-deputy-killed-in-athens-in-vehicle-crash/75013836007/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Online Athens |language=en-US}}</ref> in Clarke County. The motorcyclist died on scene, according to the Georgia State Patrol, who investigated the collision and pursuit that led up to the fatal collision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Wayne |title=Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens |url=https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/crime/2024/08/30/motorcyclist-fleeing-from-deputy-killed-in-athens-in-vehicle-crash/75013836007/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Online Athens |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-30 |title=Motorcyclist crashes, dies during pursuit in Athens-Clarke County |url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/motorcyclist-crashes-dies-during-pursuit-athens-clarke-county |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=FOX 5 Atlanta |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Purcell |first=Joy |date=2024-08-30 |title=Police: Biker crashes and dies while fleeing from deputies |url=https://nowhabersham.com/biker-crashes-and-dies-while-fleeing-from-deputies/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Now Habersham |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=News |first=Classic City |date=2024-08-30 |title=Police chase ends with fatal crash in Athens |url=https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/police-chase-ends-with-fatal-crash-in-athens |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Classic City News |language=en}}</ref>