Richmond County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit-Georgia

08/22/2026

Great Job Deputy Crystal Giannotti and K9 Arie!!!

Earlier today members of our Criminal Investigation Division attempted to pick up a subject that had multiple Felony warrants to include aggravated assault warrants out of multiple counties in the Metro Atlanta area.

While they were attempting to take the suspect into custody he fled. A perimeter was quickly established by members of the Road Patrol. Deputy Giannotti/K9 Arie were contacted and responded to the area.

Deputy Giannotti deployed K9 Arie in the area of the 900 Block of Molly Pond Rd, K9 Arie proceeded to track the suspect to the rear of 1001 Kent St. where after a brief struggle he was taken into custody.

Great job to all involved!!! It was definitely a team effort to get this violent criminal off of the street!!!

08/19/2026

𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗢𝗪𝗡

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of two members of our family in less than 24 hours.

Yesterday afternoon, Deputy Jailer Michael Davis unexpectedly passed away following a medical emergency. Deputy Davis dedicated 28 years of service to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and was assigned to D Shift at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.

This morning, our agency suffered another heartbreaking loss when Deputy Phillip Wasson passed away following a traffic collision. Deputy Wasson served the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years and was assigned to the Traffic Division.

Together, Deputy Davis and Deputy Wasson gave 46 years of service to this agency and the citizens of Richmond County. But their service cannot be measured simply in years. They were deputies, coworkers, friends, and members of our Sheriff’s Office family. They were our Brothers.

Today, there are two families grieving the loss of someone they loved, and there are coworkers throughout our agency grieving alongside them.

Sheriff Eugene Brantley and the entire Richmond County Sheriff’s Office ask that you keep the Davis and Wasson families, their friends, and their fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers during the difficult days ahead.

Service arrangements for both deputies will be released once they have been finalized.

𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘀
𝟮𝟴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗽 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻
𝟭𝟴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

Rest easy, brothers. Your service will not be forgotten.

08/16/2026

Great Job Deputy Wade Banks and K9 Gajes!!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LLsgRJYb9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Arrest Made

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to PAC N GO, located at 1649 Olive Road, in reference to an attempted armed robbery.

Upon arrival, deputies secured the perimeter and began searching for the suspect. After a brief foot chase, deputies successfully apprehended the suspect.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

08/12/2026

K9 Roy EOW 08/05/2026

Today was an extremely sad day within our unit. We had to lay K9 Roy to rest. Roy passed away last Wednesday from an unforeseen medical issue.

Our prayers continue to go out to Deputy Joseph Hawkins and his family.

K9 Roy loved serving his community, playing ball, and getting belly rubs from his family.

Roy had an incredible career while with The Sheriff’s Office seizing large amounts of drugs, money and tracking down some of the most dangerous people in our community. In an effort to keep the citizens of Richmond County safe.

He was not only a dedicated K9, but also a beloved partner, protector, and member of his family.

Roy you will be truly missed by all!

07/16/2026

We would like to recognize our EOD K9’s and their handlers for their tireless work in support of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta.

Our Handlers and their partners along with other local, State, and Federal Teams conducted hundreds of sweeps in order to keep the teams and patrons from around the world safe during this incredible event.

During the 33 days of operations there were an estimated 1 Million patrons between The Atlanta Stadium and The Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park.

Thanks again for your hard work!!!

Sgt Donald McVean / K9 Flip
Deputy Gabe Garner / K9 Silver
Deputy Jason Mathis / K9 Piper

06/18/2026

Great Job Ladies!!! Deputy Giannotti and K9 Arie assisted our Gang Unit with a traffic stop. After K9 Arie had an odor response to the vehicle, 1 Kilo of methamphetamines were located inside the vehicle.

Thanks to both of you for your hard work and continuous training to keep our community safe!!!


05/20/2026

On May 19, 2026 Deputy John Wade and K9 Duke responded to an area to assist our Crime Suppression Team with a traffic stop where the occupants fled.

Upon arrival K9 Duke was deployed in the area that the subjects were last seen. Duke tracked approximately 100 yards into a wooded area where he located one of the occupants.

Great job Deputy Wade and K9 Duke. All of your hard work and training do not go unnoticed!!!

05/16/2026

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office K9 Roy has received donation of body armor

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, GA - K9 Roy has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Roy’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 6,513 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lbs., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718

05/13/2026

Great job to all involved, to included Deputy Hawkins and K9 Roy. Great Job!!!

𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 | 𝗗𝗥𝗨𝗚 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

On May 12, 2026, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, working in coordination with the Crime Suppression Team and the Richmond County Marshal’s Office, conducted a targeted investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) responsible for moving large quantities of ma*****na throughout the Central Savannah River Area.

Investigators developed intelligence indicating the organization was transporting bulk narcotics across multiple states using commercial airline flights.

During the operation, deputies arrested Julian Gutierrez and Rigoberto Santacruz at Augusta Regional Airport after both were found in possession of approximately 120 pounds of ma*****na concealed inside multiple suitcases, consistent with the DTO’s trafficking method.

A subsequent narcotics search warrant was executed at 2904 Washington Road, Room 207, West Bank Inn, where investigators arrested Agustin Castaneda. Castaneda was found in possession of an additional 65 pounds of ma*****na, also concealed inside suitcases.

In total, investigators seized approximately 185 pounds of ma*****na with an estimated street value exceeding $230,000.

All three suspects — Gutierrez, Santacruz, and Castaneda — were charged with Trafficking in Ma*****na.

Sheriff Eugene Brantley commends the outstanding work of the Narcotics Division, Crime Suppression Team, and the Richmond County Marshal’s Office for their continued commitment to disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics and protecting the citizens of Richmond County.

04/15/2026

On Tuesday, K9 Jack assisted the RCSO Narcotics Unit and DEA in the arrest of three individuals engaged in co***ne trafficking. Three men from Florida were apprehended and charged with trafficking close to nine pounds of co***ne.