Sheriff Janis Mangum is a lifelong resident of Jackson County, having grown up in the Jefferson community and attending Jefferson City Schools. Sheriff Mangum and her husband live in the North Jackson area and attend Victory Baptist Church. She is the daughter of the late Ray and Lavertis Griffith and is the wife of Mr. Jerry Mangum for over 35 years. 

Elected to Office

On November 6th 2012, Mrs. Janis G. Mangum was elected to the office of Sheriff of Jackson County, being the only female Sheriff in the State of Georgia, and only the 2nd female Sheriff elected in Georgia History.   

Career in Law Enforcement

She has been employed with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for over 30 years, starting her career in law enforcement in 1985 as a Radio Operator for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and having attended the Northeast Georgia Police Academy in 1987 where she received her Peace Officer Certification and was promoted to Deputy Sheriff. In 1988 was promoted to Major over Jail Operations; and in 1989 she left the Jackson County Sheriff's Office to assume a position with the State of Georgia at the I.W. Davis Probation Detention Center in Jefferson, Georgia. She attended the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth Georgia and obtained her certification as a Basic Correctional Officer and was promoted to a Correctional Officer II during her employment with I.W. Davis Detention Center.

Lateral Transfer

In 1992 she made a lateral transfer from I.W. Davis Detention Center to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Georgia State Patrol where she became a Radio Operator in Post # 6 Gainesville and then later in Post # 32 in Athens. She returned to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in 1993 and assumed a position as a Deputy Sheriff until 1994 at which time she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Criminal Investigation Division. During her time in Investigations she specialized in crimes against children, worked murders, rapes, kidnappings, aggravated assaults, and crimes against persons. She also received many accolades for her work.

Civic Commitment

She has demonstrated a commitment to her civic duties and responsibilities where she has served on numerous community related projects and having been named to and is a former member of the Domestic Violence Task Force for the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, a former member of the Georgia Sex Offender Regional Task Force, and a former Ex Officio Member of the Tree House, the Piedmont Judicial Circuit Child Advocacy Center and a former member of the Tree House Child Advocacy Center, Board of Directors; and she has further been recognized for providing assistance to the community, especially as related to the children of those, who cannot or will not provide a safe and nurturing environment.

Commendations

Sheriff Mangum has been recognized for her community service having received the American Legion Law Enforcement Commendation in 2012 and the American Legion Citation for Meritorious Service in 2013; and she was also recognized in December 2013 by the Hudson Lodge # 294 F & AM as the Civil Servant of the Year for continuing to provide assistance to the community and in recognition of her dedication to the youth and elderly in her community as well as going above and beyond the call of duty during her first year in office. As Sheriff of Jackson County she has further encouraged her employees and has personally demonstrated a true desire to provide an ethical and professional office and a willingness to be a dedicated Sheriff, available at all times, and is proving herself to be “A Sheriff For All The People”!

Progressive Leader

Sheriff Mangum has proven the ability to be a progressive leader and has displayed those skills and in doing so has displayed the ability to be a productive citizen of Jackson County where she serves as a certified Peace Officer, who has taken an oath to enforce the laws of the State of Georgia and serve and protect the people of Jackson County; and Sheriff Mangum being a member of the Peace Officer Association of Georgia; and in addition to these many accomplishments, Sheriff Mangum, is a member of Victory Baptist Church in Jefferson, Georgia. In July of 2018, Sheriff Mangum was installed as the President of the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes. There are 5 youth homes in the State of Georgia, Boys Ranch in Hahira, Cherokee Estate in Dalton, Pineland in Lagrange, Herrington Homestead in Nunez, and Mountain View in Chatsworth. These homes provide a loving, nurturing environment to abused and/or abandoned children.