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Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Honors Legacy While Celebrating Heroism

Community members gather to honor the service of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

News Summary

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office pays tribute to retired Lieutenant Jackey Klaus while also celebrating the life-saving actions of current officers. Recent heroic incidents included Deputy Martin Perez and Corporal Brandon Kennedy saving a man from an overdose, and Sergeant Timothy Owens handling a crisis situation safely. The office also acknowledges Captain Scott Gay’s leadership during a major event. A recent fire at the detention center caused by laundry mishaps leads to swift response from personnel, underscoring their commitment to community safety and resilience.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Remembers Heroic Retired Lieutenant and Celebrates Current Life-Saving Actions

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is experiencing a bittersweet moment as they mourn the loss of retired Lieutenant Jackey Klaus. Esteemed by his colleagues and community, Klaus leaves behind a legacy that spans an impressive 33 years in law enforcement. He started his illustrious journey in 1978 with the Augusta Police Department, triumphantly serving as a motors officer before transferring to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in 1996. Lieutenant Klaus officially hung up his badge after years of dedicated service on March 18, 2011. While the cause of his passing hasn’t been disclosed, his impact on the community will undoubtedly live on.

In a contrasting narrative, the Sheriff’s Office recently celebrated some incredible life-saving actions performed by law enforcement officers on March 29. Deputy Martin Perez and Corporal Brandon Kennedy responded heroically to an overdose situation in the 3000 block of Deans Bridge Road, arriving around 2 a.m. They encountered a male who was completely unresponsive, despite having received Narcan. Demonstrating remarkable quick thinking, Deputy Perez immediately commenced CPR, while Corporal Kennedy provided crucial assistance. Thanks to their swift actions, the man regained both his heartbeat and consciousness just in time for emergency medical services to take over, ultimately saving his life.

Not stopping there, Sergeant Timothy Owens also received commendation for his bravery during a tense encounter on the Fifth Street Bridge. His intervention managed to bring a situation with a person in crisis to a safe and peaceful resolution, showcasing the remarkable skills and dedication that characterize the officers of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

But that’s not all the good news rolling in! Captain Scott Gay received accolades for his outstanding leadership during the prestigious 2025 Augusta National Golf Tournament. His efforts were pivotal in providing effective law enforcement coverage, ensuring that both participants and attendees could enjoy the event in a safe environment. Sheriff Eugene Brantley took the opportunity to highlight the importance of these commendations, emphasizing the core mission of the Sheriff’s Office: protecting lives and building trust within the community.

Meanwhile, an alarming situation unfolded at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, where a fire broke out in the laundry room on Thursday evening around 8 p.m. The fire, which originated from a commercial dryer, quickly spread to another dryer as well as surrounding areas. Responding decisively, Detention Center Sergeant Chad Dodaro grabbed a fire extinguisher and acted swiftly to help suppress the flames. Thankfully, the building’s sprinkler system activated, maintaining some control over the fire while also causing water damage in the facility.

For safety precautions, female inmates housed in an adjacent pod were evacuated, although the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office didn’t provide detailed information regarding the total number of evacuated inmates. The Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department soon arrived to extinguish the fire and utilized industrial fans to ventilate the affected areas.

Investigations revealed that the fire was caused primarily by kitchen towels that had retained cleaning chemicals and small amounts of grease. The high temperatures generated by the industrial dryers acted as the ignition source for these materials, leading to the dangerous incident. Cleanup efforts are currently underway, as the department works diligently to assess and restore the impacted area.

Sheriff Eugene Brantley praised the quick responses from all personnel involved in managing the fire incident, reinforcing the commitment of the Sheriff’s Office to uphold safety and efficiency in their operations. In times of grief and in moments of commendable success, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office exemplifies resilience, courage, and a steadfast dedication to the community.