Colonel Don Hunton, Division Commander
Colonel Don Hunton joined the Cobb County Sheriff's Office in January of 1981. Prior to that date he served four years in the U.S. Air Force and performed duties as a Military Policeman. Colonel Hunton is a native of Cobb County and graduated from Marietta High School in 1976. He has worked in all divisions within the Sheriff's Office including serving as the SWAT Commander and the Commander of the Mounted Patrol. He has worked his way through the ranks to his current position as the Assistant Chief Deputy. In addition to several professional certifications, Colonel Hunton has an Associate Degree from Columbia Southern University in Criminal Justice.
Lt. Colonel Robert Lee Willard, Assistant Division Commander
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Willard has been serving the citizens of Cobb County since 1989 as an employee of the Sheriff's Office. He is a Cobb County native, who attended Kennesaw State University, completed Cobb County Management Development Program (EXCEL) and is a graduate of the Leadership Cobb Program. As a deputy Willard worked in the Detention Division, the Marietta/Cobb/Smyrna Narcotics Task Force, and the Field Operations Division. While serving in the Field Operations Division, he achieved the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Major. From 2007 - 2009 he was a Watch Commander in the Detention Division. In 2009 he returned to Marietta/Cobb/Smyrna Narcotics Task Force as Unit Commander for the next 4 ½ years. In conjunction with his other duties from 1995-2002, he also held a position on the Sheriff's Office Tactical Operations Unit (SWAT), as a counter-sniper. In June of 2013 Willard was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and currently serves as the Assistant Division Commander of Field Operations Division and the Commander of the SWAT team.
The Operations Division is composed of several sections, these are:
Warrant SectionWarrant Section
Civil Section
Fugitive
Forgery
Juvenile Apprehension
Domestic Violence Section
Communications
Court Security
Transport Section
MCS Narcotics Unit
Tactical Operations
The service of Criminal Warrants is one the most challenging and hazardous duties
in law enforcement today since the offender in typically aware that charges are pending
and jail in his next destination. The primary responsibility of the Warrant Section is the processing and execution
of criminal arrest warrants, civil processes and mental health transports. Additional
duties often include funeral escorts, inmate compassionate visits and assisting other
law enforcement agencies in and around Cobb County.
In an average year, the Cobb County Sheriff'’s Office Warrant Section receives over
28,000 criminal warrants. When a criminal warrant is received in the Warrant Section
an immediate process begins towards the execution of the warrant. This process includes
recording the warrant in the SheriffÂ’s Office computer data base, identifying the
suspect, checking the criminal history of the suspect and placing the wanted person
on the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. Once this process has been
completed by civilian personnel, the warrant is forwarded to uniform deputies or to
the Fugitive Section where attempts are made to locate and apprehend the wanted person.
A typical day for a warrant deputy includes pursuing leads, gathering information,
searching houses or businesses, and ultimately affecting the arrest of wanted individuals.
Often volatile and unpredictable situations develop resulting in the individual trying
to resist or escape. It is not uncommon for warrant deputies to have to travel throughout
the State and sometimes to neighboring states to pick up individuals who are wanted
by Cobb County.
This section also works closely with local Mental Health Care facilities and the courts
in locating, apprehending and safely transporting mentally ill or drug/alcohol dependant
persons, determined by the Probate Court or a Doctor to be in need of treatment, to
emergency receiving facilities throughout the state for treatment. These individuals
are sometimes unpredictable and situations can become violent and potentially dangerous
very quickly.
These uniform deputies also enforce Georgia traffic laws by issuing traffic citations
and making arrests when necessary.
Sheriff's
Sex Offender Registry
The Civil Section is tasked with the responsibility of preparing and serving civil
processes received from the Courts of Cobb County, as well as other jurisdictions.
In addition to process service, this section executes court orders that include the
completion of Evictions, Writs of Possession and the collection of other judgments
issued by the courts.
Sheriff's
Fee Schedule
Civil
FAQ
Sheriff
and Marshal Sales
Fieri
Facias Information Sheet
Eviction
Services
This section is staffed by plain clothed investigators whose primary job is to apprehend
known fugitives who attempt to hide in and around Cobb County. Additionally, these
investigators work closely with law enforcement agencies throughout the country to
locate and apprehend fugitives wanted on Cobb County charges.
In addition to its local efforts, members of the fugitive section work with a multi-jurisdictional
task force to apprehend fugitives throughout the metro Atlanta area. This effort in
coordinated under the jurisdiction of the United States Marshals Service.
Most
Wanted
The Forgery/Fraud Section is charged with the responsibility of investigating “white
collar” crimes. Such offenses include, but are not limited to, forgery, fraud, identity
theft, embezzlement and felony bad checks. Due to the technical complexity of these
offenses, the investigators must be highly trained and experienced. Suspected forgery, fraud or identity
thefts can be reported by calling 770-499-4752.
Identity
Theft Brochure
Bad Checks
Created in 1997 through a federal grant, this section focuses its efforts on the service
of domestic violence warrants and temporary protective orders. Domestic violence incidents,
unfortunately, have been increasing at an alarming rate. These offenses are very volatile
and dangerous both for the individuals involved and for the law enforcement officers
who intervene. Domestic Violence Investigators are specially trained to deal with
the situation they encounter and to provide assistance to the victims of these offenses.
For further information on domestic violence and how the courts can assist victims call 770-499-4677. Read
More...
The Communication Section falls under the supervision of the Field Operations Unit.
It is the lifeline of sworn SheriffÂ’s Office personnel. The Communication Room is
staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Radio operator is the primary communication
link between the main Operations office and the deputies in the field. He/she has
the capability to monitor and communicate with other county and municipal agencies.
This is a valuable asset when trying to coordinate assistance and the delivery of
critical services with other agencies in the area.
In addition to the normal communications duties, the dispatcher is responsible for
monitoring the NCIC computer link, checking vehicle registrations and assisting deputies
in identifying wanted persons. The operator is also responsible for entering, modifying
and removing information from the National Crime Information System.
By Georgia Statute (O.C.G.A. 15-16-10 (a)(2) the Sheriff is responsible for the security of the Cobb County Court Facilities. SheriffÂ’s Deputies, Security Control Technicians, and Bailiffs assigned to the Court Services Section of the Cobb County SheriffÂ’s Office insure the security of the Cobb County Court Facilities twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Read More...
Transport SectionThe Transport Section is responsible for the safe and secure transportation of inmates incarcerated in the Cobb County detention facilities. Typical destinations include the county courts, medical facilities and other detention and correctional facilities throughout the county and state.Read More...
Juvenile Apprehension SectionThe Sheriffs Office has a section dedicated to locating and detaining runaways and juvenile fugitives. Apprehending these youthful offenders is a high priority, not only due to the offense involved but also because of the danger they face as possible victims of adult offenders.
MCS Narcotics Unit
The Marietta/Cobb/Smyrna (MCS) Narcotics & Intelligence Unit is a multi-jurisdictional
task force formed in 1980 and commanded by a Major from the Cobb County SheriffÂ’s
Office, with a primary mission of drug interdiction within Cobb County. Initially,
the unit was comprised of personnel from the Cobb County SheriffÂ’s Office, Marietta
Police Department, Cobb County Police Department, Smyrna Police Department and the
Cobb County District AttorneyÂ’s Office to bring the necessary manpower and resources
together in a cooperative effort to bring drug dealers before the criminal justice
system.
In 2001, the Unit added personnel from the Acworth Police Department, Kennesaw Police
Department and the Georgia National Guard. The agencies work together in a cumulative
effort to stem the flow of illegal substances, organized crime and vice crimes within
our community. Read
More...
The Cobb County Sheriff's Office Tactical Operations Unit is a specialized, highly trained team of deputies prepared for deployment in situations that require the use of special tactics and equipment. Typical situations in which this unit is deployed include hostages or barricaded suspects, high-risk warrant service, security for high-risk court trials, dignitary protection, detention facility disorders, drug related search warrants, high-risk prisoner transports and a variety of other scenarios that are outside the realm of normal law enforcement capabilities. Read More... .
Canine (K9) TeamThe Sheriff'’s Office maintains canines of various disciplines including narcotics detection, explosives detection and tracking. The canines are utilized by specially trained and certified handlers under the command of the Tactical Team Commander. Read More... .
Mounted Patrol
In 1998, a handful of dedicated deputies who shared a love of horses, volunteered
their time, horses and expertise to organize the Mounted Patrol Unit. This Unit has
grown to ten members and each has attended rigorous State certification training courses.
In addition, each member and their horse receive in excess of 100 training hours each
year.
The Mounted Patrol Unit assists in searches for lost persons, searches for wanted
suspects or escaped prisoners, works crowd control details, and makes numerous personal
appearances each year. Read
More...
Directions to the Superior Court Eviction Companies Sheriff Sales
Contact Information
Lieutenant Colonel Hunton
Assistant Division Commander Operationsr
Cobb County Sheriff's Office
185 Roswell Street
Marietta, GA 30090
Telephone: (770) 499-4318
Email:donald.hunton@CobbCounty.org