Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum has decided not to seek another term in 2024.
That announcement came on social media late Sunday night.
First elected sheriff in 2012, Mangum said she is thankful to have won three elections and will continue to serve to the best of her ability over the next two years and five months.
“I have been so blessed,” Mangum said. “And I'm humbled to serve as sheriff in Jackson County and was blessed to be elected in 2012. And I've had a great, great journey.”
In her 10th year as sheriff, Mangum has 36 years of law enforcement experience, with 33 of those in Jackson County.
“I think sometimes you just feel like you know when it might be time to move on,” Mangum said. “And this week I'm turning 65. You know, I love what I do. And if you love your work, what you do, you don't work really a day in your life. And I feel like I have had that. Now, I've had a rough year and a half. And I think the most detrimental thing I’ve had of course is losing Deputy Marshall. it's been tough to try to recover from that. I think about her family, her children, every day, and her.”
Despite the line of duty death of Deputy Lena Marshall, Mangum says her career has been rewarding.
“I've had a good time, too, serving as sheriff,” Mangum said. “I've been able to help some people. And sometimes I can't help them. But I always ran on being a sheriff for the people. And I never really thought about the title and the power that goes along with being a sheriff, because to me it's about every day people have a need and if you can help them meet that need it’s great. And if you can't, of course, you can't. But I've always wanted to be a sheriff for the people, and I feel like I have. I've not always made the best choices, but I've always tried to do what was right – even when sometimes that's not pleasant – so I can lay my head down at night and rest.”
Mangum said despite feeling it is time for her to retire at the end of this term, “I have mixed emotions about it. Because you know, I'd like to work forever and serve as sheriff, but I feel like I want to enjoy some time with my family and some time for myself. It was not an easy decision, but I think it's the right time and that's why I made my announcement last night.”
Mangum said she started out as a radio operator and was able to work in every division of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
“My most proud accomplishment as sheriff is being able to work with the Georgia sheriffs these homes and help these abused and abandoned children that need the Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes to help them and the communities to help them,” Mangum said. “I was able to serve on that board, as far as starting out as secretary/treasurer and ending up being the president of the Youth Homes for a year. That was the most rewarding thing I think I've ever done.”
Even after she retires, Mangum said she plans to stay involved with the Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes.
“I'm not sure I'll step out of that involvement,” Mangum said. “I'm hoping that I can continue even as a past sheriff, a retired sheriff, to help those kids in the Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes. I might not be the one hosting fundraisers, but I can certainly support the other fundraisers by other sheriffs and I hope that continues in Jackson County because those kids need us. It's amazing what they can do when they have a little bit of encouragement, love and discipline. And so I hope I don't have to step out of that all the way. I can still try to support them as much as I can.”
Mangum said just because she is retiring at the end of this term does not mean she’s going to slack at upholding her duties.
“I'll never say I'm done ‘til that December 31 of 2024,” Mangum said. “That'll be when I'm done. As far as my goals from now to then, I still have two years and five months. I'm going to work just like I have for the past 10 years in serving the people, because that oath I took was to serve and protect the people of Jackson County and enforce the laws in the state of Georgia. And I'll continue to do that in my two years and five months. I won't let up on that, because, you know, I always wanted to be a good steward of taxpayers’ money. Actually, I feel like I work for the taxpayers. That's who I answer to, the people, and I don't ever want to do anything to tarnish my badge, and I will never get lax in my duties, because that oath is what I took, and I’ll fulfill that oath until my last day as sheriff”
Mangum said she has advice for those who will seek to replace her as sheriff beginning in 2025.
“I would say to those that are thinking about running that you better have a servant's heart,” Mangum said. “If you don't have a servant's heart, you don't need to be in law enforcement at all. You sure don't need to be a sheriff. And I hope that the people of Jackson County get a sheriff that cares about the people, and not about the title and the power. Because as a sheriff, you have a lot of power. And if that's all you care about is the title and the power, then that's not what's going to help the people.”
Mangum said she knows a large field of qualifiers will come forward in about 19 months to seek the office.
“There'll be a lot of people run for sheriff,” she said. “Who knows how many people will come out to run? And I just hope that we get a sheriff that cares about the people, because Sheriff Evans sure did for his 28 years. And I know I have for my 10, and I'll continue to care about the people until I finish this term.”
Mangum said she is always accessible to Jackson County residents.
“My phone is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Mangum said. “I don't turn my phone off. And I'm always there, no matter night or day. People can tell you they’ve contacted me at all hours of night and day. And if I don't answer, I'll call them back. But I just hope that anybody running for sheriff is willing to give that commitment because it's a sacrifice. You sacrifice time with your family. I've missed many holidays and time with family over the years. But there again, if you have a servant's heart, you're going to do that job. And you're going to do it to your fullest and not just do it because you're interested in the title of being a sheriff. So I hope they're committed, whoever decides to run.”
While Mangum wants to see Jackson County get a sheriff with a servant’s heart, she is not sure she will publicly endorse any candidate.
After retirement, Mangum said she wants to go to Rabun County and sit by the Tallulah River at her camper, but also to travel some.
While she is not sure she will ever work in law enforcement again after retiring as sheriff, Mangum said she would like to keep her certification “simply because what an honor it is to have the certification of a law enforcement officer.”
Mangum said that certification is a mark of honor, and something she takes very seriously.
“I have never in my 36 years wanted to do anything or thought about doing anything to tarnish my badge,” Mangum said. “So, I would love to keep my certification. I can't say that I will ever want to go back into law enforcement again, but who knows? I mean, I don't know. I will pray about that and let God lead me in the way I need to go.”
Mangum has a message for the people of Jackson County:
“I would like to say to all the people that have supported me throughout the years,” Mangum said. “I just can't thank my supporters enough for standing by me through the good and the bad. And always being there to support me and encourage me. And I'm going to have some that are going to be very upset with me because I won’t continue to run. But I think I know when it's time to move on and let somebody else come in. And I feel like I've done the best I could do the best of my ability for the people Jackson County, because Jackson County is my home too. And I love the people here and I love my county.”
