Sheriff Gerald Couch was born and raised in Hall County. He has served as Hall County Sheriff since January 2013. A 42-year veteran law enforcement professional, Couch joined the Hall County Sheriff’s Office in 1981 and ascended through its ranks. He has served as jailer, patrol deputy, field training officer, investigator, sergeant and lieutenant. Couch has trained, worked and supervised in every area of the Sheriff’s Office. He has a broad range of experience in the law enforcement profession having trained, worked, supervised and managed in nearly every area including detention, uniform patrol, narcotics, internal affairs, crime prevention and criminal investigations ranging from theft to homicide. In addition, he also served as major in the Gainesville Police Department where he was second in command to the Chief of Police until he resigned to run for the Office of Sheriff of Hall County. During his law enforcement career, Couch has completed more than 3,800 hours of advanced law enforcement training and education, including supervision and management.

I recognize the badge of Sheriff to be a symbol of public faith and trust. I will always provide the greatest service & protection to my fellow citizens.

• Born, raised and lifelong resident of Hall County
• Proven Leadership – Executive and Command
• 39 years of law enforcement service to this community
• Only candidate with upper/executive and budget management experience
• Over 3,500 hours of advanced Law Enforcement Training and Education
  • Chief Executive Training
  • Police Manpower Allocation
  • Budget Administration
  • Departmental Organization
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Various other law enforcement functions
• Ascended through the ranks serving as Jailer, Patrol Deputy, Field Training Officer, Investigator, Sergeant, and Lieutenant with Hall County SO
• Served as Deputy Chief with Gainesville Police, managing 120 employees
• Serving as your Sheriff since 2013, managing over 475 employees

Citizen Safety – Reduced Crime (2018 – 2019)

• Robbery – down 15.38%
• Burglary – down 6.73%
• Larceny-Theft – down 22.36%
• Motor Vehicle Theft – down 28.31%

Modernized the Sheriff’s Office

• Body Cameras Issued
• Computer Assisted Dispatching of Calls for Service implemented
• New Records Management Computer System implemented
• New Jail Management Computer System implemented
• Sheriff to Citizen online portal implemented
• Safest and most modern fleet of agency vehicles currently in service
• Enhanced training and improved equipment to improve safety of deputies

Financially Responsible

• Manages the largest budget in Hall County
• Consistently under budget every year as your Sheriff

Traffic Safety Education and Enforcement

• Overall Traffic Fatalities dropped 30% from 2018 to 2019
• Overall Traffic Crashes dropped 12% from 2018 to 2019
• Outside city limits, traffic fatalities dropped from 26 in 2017 to 22 in 2018, and then to 11 in 2019