Aiken County Elects New Sheriff Marty Sawyer, Assembles Local Talent for Command Team

Aiken County Welcomes New Sheriff-elect Marty Sawyer

It’s been a bustling time for Aiken County as excitement grows around the election of their new sheriff. Marty Sawyer, who emerged victorious in the sheriff’s race last month, is already putting his plans into action and shaping his command team. If you missed the action, no worries—we’ve got the scoop for you!

Meet the Team

Late last week, Sheriff-elect Sawyer proudly announced that he has filled nearly all positions on his command staff, and the good news is that all his choices come from existing employees within the sheriff’s office. Talk about keeping it in the family!

In a move that reflects his leadership style, Marty Sawyer chose Eric Abdullah as his chief deputy. Their mutual vision and values made this decision a no-brainer for Sawyer, who believes this collaboration will greatly enhance the safety of Aiken County’s citizens.

“In talking with Eric, I realized that we had the same vision and the same values, so I chose him as chief deputy,” Sawyer shared. “And then, he and I started interviewing people that we thought had the same vision that we did, and it came together really quickly. I think we’ve got a great group to lead Aiken County and to keep the citizens of Aiken County safe.”

This command staff assembly also includes other highly skilled personnel, which proves Sawyer is determined to assemble a well-rounded and proficient team. Among these appointees are:

• Nick Gallam, Detention Center Operations Manager
• Clay Adams, Sheriff’s Office Operations Manager
• Peggy Desmarais, Administrative Service Director
• Andrew Dailey, Uniformed Patrol Captain
• Other notable appointees include Kevin Liles, Criminal Investigations Captain and Jason Todd, Special Operations Captain.

While the administration major position is yet to be filled, there’s no doubt that this team will make waves!

Local Talent Takes the Lead

Marty Sawyer strongly believes in promoting from within the sheriff’s office. As he mentioned, “The people at the sheriff’s office have worked here for 15 or 20 years to be able to move up in rank and have a say-so in what goes on. I don’t think you should bring in a lot of people from the outside if you have qualified people within.”

With such dedication to promoting local talent, the new sheriff is paving the way for a promising future for Aiken County law enforcement.

The Journey Ahead

The newly elected sheriff is gearing up for his official swearing-in ceremony set for January 7, 2025. After dedicating his career to public service, Marty Sawyer retired from the Aiken Department of Public Safety just last month, concluding a remarkable 35-year journey. Well wishes are pouring in from the community, as many are eager to see what changes and improvements he’ll bring.

As Sawyer steps into the sheriff’s role, he is taking over from Michael Hunt, who has served as sheriff since 2003. Hunt decided not to seek reelection, making way for eager candidates like Sawyer. Interestingly, Sawyer received Hunt’s endorsement, which speaks volumes about the trust placed in him.

What’s Next for Aiken County?

Aiken County residents are buzzing with anticipation and hope for the future under the leadership of their new sheriff and his capable team. With a vision focused on community safety and engagement, there’s a feeling in the air that positive changes are on the horizon!

As we move closer to the swearing-in date, stay tuned for updates and perhaps some sneak peeks of the new sheriff’s plans to keep Aiken County secure!