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Sheriff Keybo Taylor
- Gwinnett County Sheriff
- 770.822.3122
- Keybo.Taylor@GwinnettCounty.com
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About Sheriff Keybo Taylor
Sheriff Keybo Taylor was elected on November 3, 2020, and took office on January 1, 2021. A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Sheriff Taylor joined the Gwinnett County Police Department in 1983. With over 30 years of law enforcement experience, he has been involved in undercover investigations within the Criminal Investigations Division and the Special Investigations Section.
In 1994, he was assigned to the FBI Drug Task Force. He later served as a supervisor in the Uniform Division, Special Operations (COPS Program), and the Criminal Investigations (Narcotics Squad) Unit.
In 2000, Sheriff Taylor was promoted to Lieutenant and became the Unit Commander, leading the Gwinnett County Drug Task Force. By 2007, he had advanced to the position of Major, managing both the East and South precincts.
Sheriff Taylor attributes much of his career advancement to his dedication to education and professional development. He holds a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice from Mercer University and a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University.
Additionally, he has received Intermediate, Advanced, Supervision, and Management Certifications through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST).
He is also a Certified General Post Instructor, a Georgia Law Enforcement Command College Class #10 graduate from the DEA Drug Unit Command Academy, and a certified Crisis Intervention Trainer. As a former youth football coach, he enjoys mentoring adolescents and fostering positive behavior by using sports as a platform for growth and teamwork. He also prioritizes quality time with his three children and eight grandchildren.
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Chief Cleophas Atwater
- Department Chief
- 770.822.3160
- Cleo.Atwater@GwinnettCounty.com
About Chief Cleophas Atwater
Cleophas Atwater was appointed Chief of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office on January 1, 2021. He began his law enforcement career in Rockdale County at the City of Conyers Police Department. He is a graduate of the 37th Gwinnett County Police Academy where he served 24 years.
During his tenure with the Gwinnett County Police Department, Chief Atwater was promoted at regular intervals and served in multiple divisions. He served in the uniform, training, and the criminal investigations division. Chief Atwater spent 14 years in the criminal investigations division supervising high profile units such as Narcotics, VICE, Gangs, Robbery, and Homicide. He was awarded the Chief’s Unit Citation for all three units.
As a collateral duty, Chief Atwater served 19 years on the SWAT team. He was appointed by the Chief of Police to serve as the SWAT Team Commander, establishing the first Gwinnett full time SWAT Team. After an appointment to the rank of Major, Chief Atwater served as the Assistant Criminal Investigations Commander. Under his command, he diligently led his team to establish investigative protocols that included a victim centered approach.
Chief Atwater is proud to serve as second in command of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. Under the leadership of Sheriff Taylor, Chief Atwater has continued to work with those under his command to protect the citizens of our community. The establishment of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit (TRACE) is a testament to these continued efforts. The TRACE Unit is recognized across the country for providing resources to victims of human trafficking and bringing to justice offenders that prey on our most vulnerable populations.
Chief Atwater is a collaborative leader, with a community first approach to law enforcement. He believes that exhibiting integrity and building trust must be at the core of shaping organizational culture. He has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.), including, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and Defensive Tactics Instructor. Chief Atwater has obtained over 4,000 hours of basic and specialized training.
Chief Atwater is a two-time Officer of the Year recipient and a two-time Distinguished Service Medal recipient.
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Deputy Chief Melanie Jones
- Administrative Bureau Chief
- 770.822.3825
- Melanie.Jones@GwinnettCounty.com
About Deputy Chief Melanie Jones
Deputy Chief Melanie Jones is a multi-certified peace officer dedicated to maintaining the Gwinnett standard of excellence. She began her career with the Gwinnett County Police Department in 2004 and joined the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office in 2005. Deputy Chief Jones has dedicated over 19 years to providing outstanding service and achieving customer success by specializing in organizational leadership, fiscal management, forensic polygraphy, recruitment, and retention at the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. During her career, she has performed critical roles in the Jail Operations Division, Administrative Services Division, Support Operations Division, and Field Operations Division.
Deputy Chief Jones has earned promotions at regular intervals. As a Background Investigations Sergeant, she directed the Administrative Units, including Background Investigations, Internal Affairs, and Recruitment. Promoted to Lieutenant in December 2019, she served as the Commander of the Professional Standards Section and Public Information Officer. In January 2021, she was appointed by Sheriff Keybo Taylor to Assistant Chief Deputy and served as the Commander of the Administrative Services Division. Further evident of her exemplary level of leadership and service, she was promoted to Deputy Chief in December 2021 and currently serves as Director of the Administrative Bureau, overseeing the Jail Operations Division, Support Operations Division and Administrative Services Division. She has more than 2,000 hours of basic and specialized training.
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Deputy Chief Antonio Webster
- Operational Bureau Chief
- 770.619.6814
- Antonio.Webster@GwinnettCounty.com
About Deputy Chief Antonio Webster
Deputy Chief Antonio Webster began his career with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office in 1999. Deputy Chief Webster has dedicated over 23 years of outstanding leadership to the citizens of Gwinnett County. He specializes in serving high-risk warrants, hostage rescue, and general tactical operations.
Deputy Chief Webster has earned promotions at regular intervals and has supervised specialized units such as Investigative Services Unit, Fugitive Unit, Uniform Warrants, Sex Offenders Unit, Family Violence Unit, and more. In January 2021, he was appointed to Major, overseeing the Criminal Investigation Section and second in command of the Field Operations Division. In December 2021, he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Field Operations Division. In December 2024, he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Operations Bureau. Additionally, Deputy Chief Webster honorably served eight years in the United States Navy.
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Assistant Chief Jermaine Jackson
- Administrative Services Division Chief
- 770.619.6670
- Jermaine.Jackson@GwinnettCounty.com
About Assistant Chief Jermaine Jackson
Assistant Chief Jermaine Jackson was born in 1971 in Camden, New Jersey, and graduated from Camden High School in 1989. Immediately after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, beginning a distinguished 20-year military career defined by leadership, discipline, and service.
During his time in the Marines, Jackson rose through the enlisted ranks to First Sergeant, one of the highest senior enlisted leadership positions in the Corps. As a young Sergeant, he was selected to serve as a Drill Instructor at both Parris Island and Quantico, where he shaped the next generation of Marines through rigorous training and mentorship. He completed one combat tour in Iraq and retired honorably as a First Sergeant in 2009.
That same year, Jackson continued his commitment to public service by joining the Sheriff’s Office. He has since advanced through the ranks and currently serves as an Assistant Chief, overseeing the Administrative Division, which consists of Internal Affairs, Legal Services, Fiscal Management, Human Resources, Communications, Planning Research and Development, Training, and Accreditation. In this role, he is responsible for departmental accountability, professional standards, budget stewardship, workforce development, and compliance oversight.
Assistant Chief Jackson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, supporting both his operational leadership and administrative expertise.
Known for his disciplined approach, ethical leadership, and ability to develop people and systems, Assistant Chief Jermaine Jackson brings more than three decades of combined military and law enforcement experience to the profession of public safety.
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Assistant Chief Jeremy Brown
- Support Operations Division Chief
- 770.822.8208
- Jeremy.Brown@GwinnettCounty.com
About Assistant Chief Jeremy Brown
Assistant Chief Jeremy Brown began his career with the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office in 1996. He has earned promotions at regular intervals and worked in several areas of the agency. During his career, he served in the Administrative Services Division, Field Operations Division, Jail Operations Division, and Court Operations Division. After being promoted to Lieutenant in 2010, he supervised the Warrants Unit, Sex Offenders Unit, and Family Violence Unit. In 2012, Assistant Chief Brown joined the Professional Standards Section and supervised the Background Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs Unit, and Recruitment Unit. Assistant Chief Brown has obtained more than 2,800 hours of basic and specialized training. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Auburn University and a master’s degree in police administration from Columbus State University. Assistant Chief Brown is also a Polygraph Examiner.
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Assistant Chief Evette McKenzie
- Jail Operations Division Chief
- 770.619.6471
- Evette.McKenzie@GwinnettCounty.com
About Assistant Chief Evette McKenzie
Assistant Chief Evette McKenzie has dedicated 19 years with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and has over 20 years of law enforcement experience. During her tenure with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Assistant Chief McKenzie has served in various administrative positions within the Jail Operations Division. She has provided oversight for managers, supervisors, and deputies who are responsible for the daily operations of specialized units within the Sheriff’s Office. Earlier in her career, she served as a detention officer for two years with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant Chief McKenzie holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Brenau University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Southern University and was a member of the Georgia Jail Association’s Executive Board for 10 years.
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Assistant Chief Austin Godfrey
- Field Operations Division Chief
- 770.619.6515
- Austin.Godfrey@GwinnettCounty.Com
About Assistant Chief Austin Godfrey
Assistant Chief Austin M. Godfrey began his career in law enforcement in 1998 with the Gwinnett County Police Department. He has served as a Task Force Officer with the FBI’s Crimes Against Children Human Trafficking Task Force, a member of the GBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and a member of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association. Assistant Chief Godfrey has spent most of his career assigned to specialized units. These units have included Special Victims, Narcotics, Crime Suppression, and VICE and Alcohol. Additionally, he was a member of SWAT for over 18 years, where he served as the Sniper Team Leader.
Assistant Chief Godfrey joined the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office in January 2021 and accepted his appointment as Major of the Special Investigations Section. In this role, he helped establish and build the Trafficking and Child Exploitation (TRACE) and Gang Units. Under his leadership, the Special Investigations Section expanded to include the Fugitive, Jail Intelligence, and Crime & Intelligence Analyst Units, along with the Gwinnett Metro Task Force.
Over the course of his career, Assistant Chief Godfrey has received over 6,000 hours of basic and specialized training from the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (POST). His certifications include Management, Supervision, Advanced, Intermediate, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Sniper Instructor, Field Training Officer, and SWAT Command. Assistant Chief Godfrey is a native of Gwinnett County and graduated from South Gwinnett High School. He is also a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
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Assistant Chief James Casey
- Court Operations Division Chief
- 770.822.8215
- James.Casey@GwinnettCounty.com
About Assistant Chief James Casey
Assistant Chief James Casey began his career with the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office in 1998. He began his law enforcement career with the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office. began his law enforcement career in Athens with the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office. He has earned promotions at regular intervals and worked in several areas of the agency.
During his career, he served in the Field Operations Division, Court Operations Division, Jail Operations Division, and Administrative Services Division. He has supervised in the Detention Center, Professional Standards Section, Civil Processing Unit, and Court Services. Assistant Chief Casey has over 3,300 hours of basic and specialized training to include being a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session #262, as well as a Polygraph Examiner. Assistant Chief Casey holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in police administration from Columbus State University.