Command Staff | Muscogee County Sheriff's Office

Chief Deputy Larry Parker, Jr.

Larry Parker, Jr., was hired by the Columbus Police Department in 1986. He began his career as a Patrol Officer in October 1986. As a Patrol Officer, he served in the Patrol Division and Metro Narcotics Task Force. In 1991, he was promoted as a Detective, while working in the Metro Narcotic Task Force. After his promotion to Sergeant (1993), he served in the Patrol Division, Swing Shift Patrol / D.U.I. Task Force, Tactical Operation Squad, Desk Services (Support Services), and Special Operations Unit (Vice / Narcotics Unit). He transferred to the Muscogee County Marshal's Office and was promoted to Lieutenant in February 2009 and assigned to Field Services and 911 Center. In January 2010, he was promoted to Captain and continued his current duties. In 2014, he was transferred to Administrative Services / Court Services until December 2020. Sheriff Countryman promoted Larry Parker, Jr., to the rank of Major who is assigned to Administrative Service Bureau. He will be responsible to Human Resources, Criminal Warrant and Civil Bureau for Municipal and Magistrate Court, Pre-Trial Release Program, Sex Offenders Unit, Credentialing / Security for the Government, Citizen Service Building, Civic Center and the Columbus Trade Center, and Community Relations Outreach Program. Larry Parker, Jr., has a Master of Science in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from Columbus State University, Graduate of Georgia Regional Command College – Class 40, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and Minor in Management from Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi. Completed the Georgia F.B.I. – LEEDS (Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminars).

Lt Colonel Joe Mccrea - Administrative Bureau

Lt Colonel Joe McCrea is a life-long resident of Columbus, graduating from Baker High School. Lt Colonel McCrea started with the Sheriff's Office in June 1979. During his tenure, he has served in patrol, investigations, and administration. Lt Colonel McCrea currently oversees Special Projects and Accreditation.

Education: Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University; BS in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University, and Graduate of Georgia Law Enforcement Command College (Class 3) at Columbus State University

Professional Career: Muscogee County Sheriff's Office 1981-2009, Director of Public Safety, St. Francis Hospital 2009 – 2017, Muscogee County Sheriff's Office 2017 – Present and Adjunct Professor at Columbus State University 2001 – Present.

Affiliations: Member Fraternal Order of Police and Member Peace Officers Association of Georgia (POAG).

Commander Larry Mitchell - Jail Bureau

Commander Larry Mitchell began his career with the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office as a jailor on December 7, 1985. Major Mitchell progress through the ranks as a Deputy in 1989, Sergeant (1992), Lieutenant (1993), Captain (2007) and Major on October 9, 2015. His previous experience includes being a Squad Commander, Chief Clerk of Recorders Court, Assistant Warden (Security), and Administrative Bureau Commander. Commander Mitchell is a graduate of Troy State University. Larry Mitchell was appointed as Commander of the Muscogee County Jail in April of 2018.

Major Curtis Lockette - Training and Special Projects Bureau

Education: Master of Science in Public Administration from Columbus State University, Graduate of the Georgia Regional Command College (Class 29) and he received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama. He completed the Georgia FBI-LEEDS (Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar) and is a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certified Instructor.

Professional Careers: Columbus Police Department (1989-2005), the Muscogee County Marshal's Office (2005-2020), and Columbus State University Adjunct (2009-Present)

Civic Organizations: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Continuum of Care (CoC) Board Chair, Home for Good Board, Safe Kids of Columbus Volunteer, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and the Police Officers Association of Georgia (POAG).

Duties: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Continuum of Care (CoC) Board Chair, Home for Good Board, Safe Kids of Columbus Volunteer, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and the Police Officers Association of Georgia (POAG).

Major Jonnie Ellerbee - Special Operations Bureau

Jonnie Ellerbee, started with the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office on September 20th, 1989, as a Correctional Officer.

He was promoted to Deputy in December of 1995 and was assigned to the Patrol Division in June of 1997 and became a Field Training Officer. He is a founding member of the Special Response Team, and now holds the position of Special Response Team Commander.

He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2005 and earned the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge while acting as a Task Force Officer for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

He obtained his Associate’s Degree, and Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and in 2008 completed his Master’s Degree in Public Administration/Justice Administration, all from Columbus State University.

In 2018, he was promoted to the Investigations Unit Lieutenant.

In July of 2022, he was again promoted to the rank of Captain of the Special Operations Unit/Investigations Bureau.

On October 1, 2023, he was appointed to the rank of Major/Bureau Commander over the Special Operations Unit and Investigations Bureau.

Major Myron Strange - Uniform Patrol and Court Services Bureau

Education: High School Graduate from George Washington Carver High School in 1983. Member of the United States Air Force Reserve (1984 -1992) as a Security Police Specialist. Graduated from Chattahoochee Valley Community College with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice in (1987). Graduated from Troy State University with a Criminal Justice Degree in Criminal Justice (2002). Received several Narcotics and Peace Officer Training Certificates throughout career.

Professional Career: Muscogee County Sheriff Office hired in June 1987, as a Jailer, promoted to Deputy in July 1989, Reassigned to the Patrol Division December 1989. Assigned to the Metro Narcotics Task Force Unit as a Special Agent February 1991 until 1997). Reassigned to the Patrol Division November 1997. Promoted to Sergeant May 2001, and reassigned to the Jail Division, Promoted to Lieutenant January 2010. April 2012 Reassigned to the Operations Bureau as Patrol Lieutenant. Promoted to Captain October 2019 in the Operations Bureau/Patrol/Courts. February 1, 2022, Promoted to Major in the Operation Bureau Patrol/ Courts Division. During my time in the Operations Bureau, served on the Juvenile Drug Court Served Commit and Lieutenant of the Sex Offender Task Force

Civic Organizations: Coached with East Way Little League Football from 1997 to 2011, served on the Board of Sally Little League Baseball 2011 to 2014 and currently serves as a member of the Men of the Chattahoochee Valley a non- profit organization for under privilege youth boys.

John Wade - Director of Community Affairs and Human Resources

Director Wade is a former Police Director, with over 27 years of law enforcement experience. His assignments included: Executive Officer, Public Information Officer, Crime Prevention - Community Policing, Housing, Street Crimes - Narcotics, Criminal Investigations, Internal Affairs, and several task forces targeting organized crime, and anti-terrorism. He considers the best six years of his career while serving as law enforcement coordinator of a former US Department of Justice crime suppression strategy that, as part of a holistic approach, involved law enforcement, community policing, neighborhood restoration, and prevention, intervention, and treatment. Team strategy impacts under his command during that time attributed to a 50% drop in crime within public housing, an overall 30% drop in citywide crime, and recognized as Best Practices at the federal, state, and local levels. Director Wade is a Veteran of the US Air Force, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration and a Master's of Administrative Sciences Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He has completed Police Executive Leadership and Command College training through Penn State University, DEA, and FBI – LEEDA. As the Director of Community Affairs, Director Wade serves as the Public Information Officer for MCSO, addresses sensitive and confidential law enforcement issues from a non-sworn perspective, and establishes and maintains diplomatic relations with public safety officials, city and elected officials, faith based organizations, advocacy groups, nonprofits, schools, community organizations, homeowners associations, and residents to promote partnerships that are mutually beneficial to the MCSO and the community, as a whole.