(Paulding County, GA) On Tuesday, December 31, 2024, Sheriff Gary Gulledge officially retired from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. An official retirement celebration was held on December 17, 2024, at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office for the employees and later that day a celebration was held at the Paulding County Community Center for the citizens of Paulding County. In attendance at both events were Sheriff Gulledge’s family, other Georgia Sheriffs, fellow law enforcement officers, friends, and co-workers.
Sheriff Gulledge began his law enforcement career with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office on May 18, 1990, as a Jailer. Sheriff Gulledge worked his way through the ranks and eventually became the Sheriff of Paulding County on January 1, 2009. During his over 34-year career with the Sheriff’s Office, he served under two different Sheriffs and was elected to be the 49th Sheriff of Paulding County holding that position for an impressive 16 years. Sheriff Bruce Harris (deceased) and Sheriff Gulledge tie as the longest serving Sheriffs in the history of Paulding County with 16 years each.
Sheriff Gulledge worked in nearly every division at the Sheriff’s Office at one point or another during his career. He was probably most known for his role as a K-9 handler at the Sheriff’s Office. He was one of the first handlers at the Sheriff’s Office and was the first handler of a dual-purpose law enforcement canine. K-9 Basco and Lieutenant Gulledge (at the time) went to every school, church, sporting event, and drug bust in Paulding County for years. When K-9 Basco retired, Sheriff Gulledge got K-9 Hondo whom he worked with until he was elected Sheriff in 2008.
During his career at the Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Gulledge was able to be a part of countless advancements. Listed below are just a few of his many accomplishments:

• Helped secure permits for RADAR and LIDAR speed detection in Paulding County
• Expanded PCSO K-9 Unit
• Implemented a new records/jail management software system
• Helped implement a new public safety radio system
• Constructed a new Training Center
• Constructed a new Sheriff’s Office and Jail
• Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Region 1 Vice President
• Georgia Department of Corrections Board of Directors
• Secured money for Deputies and Jailers to have POAB dues paid by the county
• Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 1996 by the Rotary Club of Paulding County
• NCGLEA Training Advisory Board
• Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Legislative Committee 
• Worked tirelessly with Commissioners to secure a Public Safety Pension Fund

Sheriff Gary Gulledge remarked, "Serving as the Sheriff of Paulding County for the last 16 years has been the honor of my life. In my three-plus decades at the Sheriff's Office, I have always tried my best to do the right thing for our office, our county, and my brothers and sisters in blue. Now it is time to pass the charge to the next generation, and I am confident that Sheriff-Elect Henson will continue to serve our community and this office with distinction."
Sheriff-Elect Ashley Henson stated, “I have known Gary all of my adult life. He has always been a man of integrity and a trusted friend. I will never forget my time working side by side with him in our K-9 Unit. Through it all, Gary has always put our Sheriff’s Office as a priority in his life. Gary taught me what it takes to be a good Sheriff and more importantly, a good person. I hope I can be half the Sheriff he has been for the past 16 years. I know he will enjoy retirement, furthermore, I hope he gets to relax and travel as much as he wants while spending time with his family.”
Sheriff Gulledge’s law enforcement career has spanned over 34 years. During his tenure in law enforcement, he has seen many changes. We want to wish Sheriff Gulledge a happy and relaxing retirement. Now he will have plenty of time to enjoy life, spend time with his family, and travel the United States.