Opinion ID: 77779
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: How state law defines the sheriff's office

Text: The sheriff's office is a separate and independent office from the county and its governing body, notwithstanding that the sheriff is elected by county voters. Manders, 338 F.3d at 1319; Brown v. Dorsey, 276 Ga.App. 851, 625 S.E.2d 16, 21 (2005) ([T]he Constitution has made the sheriff independent from the County, notwithstanding the designation of the sheriff as a `county officer.'). The essential governmental nature of the sheriff's office is to (1) enforce the law and preserve the peace on behalf of the State and (2) perform specific statutory duties, directly assigned by the State, in law enforcement, state courts, and corrections. Manders, 338 F.3d at 1319. With respect to corrections, in particular, the State requires the sheriff to take custody of pre-trial detainees charged with state felony and misdemeanor offenses. [23] Id. at 1315. The State also charges the sheriff with providing for the protection and well-being of the detainees in his custodial care. Mayo v. Fulton County, 220 Ga.App. 825, 470 S.E.2d 258, 259 (1996). [24] Thus, in performing his State-assigned function of maintaining security at the Jail, Sheriff Freeman acted for the State. Based on Manders, therefore, we conclude the first factor weighs in favor of immunity.