Over 200 people filled the benches and lined the walls inside the Jones County Circuit Courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse in Laurel on Friday, December 27 to observe the official swearing-in of 19 Jones County public officials plus the deputies and staffs of county offices.

Circuit Judge Dal Williamson, County Judge Wayne Thompson and Chancery Judge Frank McKenzie shared the duty of swearing in the officials.

“Thank you for being here to support these newly elected officials,” stated County Administrator Danielle Ashley as she opened the ceremony.

Sgt. Joey Decuir of the Laurel Police Department then led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Tina Thompson sang the national anthem. Rev. Leander Bridges gave the day’s invocation.

The officials sworn in included Beat 1 Supervisor Johnny Burnett; Beat 2 Supervisor T. Larry Dykes; Beat 3 Supervisor Phil Dickerson; Beat 4 Supervisor David Scruggs; Beat 5 Supervisor Trevares Comegys; Chancery Clerk Bart Gavin; Circuit Clerk Concetta Brooks; Tax Assessor-Collector Tina Gatlin Byrd; Sheriff Joe Berlin; District Attorney Anthony J. Buckley; Coroner Burl Hall; County Surveyor Harvey Saul; Justice Court Judges C. Grant Hedgepeth, Billie Graham and David Lyons; Justice Court Clerk Stacy Walls; and constables Mike Sumrall, Danny Gibson and David Livingston.

Rev. Vernon Graves sang a rousing rendition of “God Bless America” after all officials had been sworn in, and Rev. Randy Turner gave the benediction, including as part of his prayer the passage from the Old Testament book of Micah: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Many of the officials then took time to greet their supporters and take photos with family members.

New Sheriff Joe Berlin used his late uncle’s Bible as he was sworn in. That Bible was used by his uncle, the Reverend David Parker, to minister during the time that he was the pastor of Faith Ministries Independent Baptist Church in Sandersville. Reverend Parker passed away in 2013.

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