TALIAFERRO COUNTY, Ga. () – The Chief Deputy of Taliaferro County is on administrative leave after he was arrested in McDuffie County.

Chris Treadwell was arrested several weeks ago for boating under the influence on Clarks Hill Lake.

The Taliaferro County Sheriff, Tia M. McWilliams, reported that on Saturday, July 5th, Treadwell submitted his resignation, stating, “I render my services as of right now. I’M SORRY!”

She said she spoke with him the next day and he was deeply remorseful for his actions and the impact it had on both his immediate and work families.

Sheriff McWilliams accepted his resignation, praised him for his sincerity, and advised him that unless he decided to leave law enforcement permanently, the self-reproach he experienced might linger into the future. She encouraged him not to let a single mistake define his entire career.

Treadwell requested to rescind his resignation on July 11th. His request was granted pending further investigation. It was completed July 17th

Treadwell has been suspended without pay for at least 14 days. The Sheriff mentioned that upon his return, he will be given a new assignment and will experience a demotion in rank.

The sheriff says as humans, we all fall short:

As Sheriff of Taliaferro County, I am committed to leading with honor, integrity, love, compassion, and respect. I firmly believe in holding myself and others accountable for having the courage to do what is morally, ethically, lawfully, and justifiably right. As humans, we all fall short daily, some in private, without public awareness and obvious consequences, and others in public, where the consequences are more visible. What matters most is not simply what we do, but the totality of the circumstances and how we take responsibility for our actions moving forward. Within the Taliaferro County Sheriff’s Office, I require honesty and encourage a culture of growth, accountability, and humility. I teach my staff that empathy and respect are essential in the performance of our duties and in every interaction with the public, because while we are tasked with upholding the law, as humans we all fall short, and none of us are above the law. Thus, we must extend to others the same dignity, love, compassion, and respect that we hope to receive in our own moments of distress. Today, it may be Jane or John Doe, and tomorrow it could be you; so, please choose what is right, treat people right, and trust that in doing right, right will never wrong you.

My staff and I thank you, the public, for your support, and we appreciate your understanding. We move forward with business to meet the needs of our shared community. Therefore, if you have questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact us at feedback@tcsoga.com. Thank you in advance.

Tia M. McWilliams,

Sheriff of Taliaferro County, Georgia