Towns County Sheriff Suspended for 60 Days Following Misconduct Investigation

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has suspended Towns County Sheriff Kenneth Henderson from office for 60 days following an investigation into allegations of misconduct, following the release of bodycam footage which showed Henderson's interaction a Hiawassee police officer at the scene of a deputy shooting in 2024.

In an executive order issued Monday, Kemp said the decision followed a recommendation from a three-member committee appointed on Sept. 19 to review the allegations. The panel included Attorney General Christopher Carr, Coweta County Sheriff Lenn Wood and Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown.

The Georgia Sheriffs’ Association requested the investigation, which was conducted under state code provisions allowing the governor to suspend a sheriff for alleged misconduct.

The committee submitted its recommendation on Oct. 17, advising that Henderson be suspended pursuant to Georgia Code Section 15-16-26(c).

Kemp’s order states that the suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place for 60 days.

Sheriff Henderson had not released a statement at press time.