Ira Edwards

Sheriff Edwards joined Fight Crime: Invest in Kids in 2003. He is the first African American to serve as Sheriff of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. A 28-year law enforcement veteran, Sheriff Edwards began his career with the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office in 1985 as a deputy sheriff working in the jail section. He later served as a patrol officer, probation officer, D.A.R.E. officer, and youth apprentice coordinator with the City of Athens Police Department.

Under Edwards’ leadership, the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office became the recipient of the 2007 State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification, becoming the 10th Sheriff’s Office in the state of Georgia to receive this prestigious award. He has also served in numerous professional capacities. In 2010, he was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Sheriff’s Association. As a community leader, Sheriff Edwards was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the Athens Tutorial Program in 2012 and served as Executive Board Member for the Boy Scouts of Northeast Georgia.

A strong and vocal member, Sheriff Edwards gave testimony before the Georgia State Board of Education supporting the Georgia Common Core Performance Standards. During his testimony, Sheriff Edwards spoke passionately about his experience in law enforcement and interacting with kids. Sheriff Edwards has also worked with Fight Crime: Invest in Kids on mental health reform at the state and federal level.

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