Sumter County votes for first African American Sheriff

(AMERICUS, GA) – For Chief Deputy and Interim Sumter County Sheriff, Eric Bryant, Tuesday was a bittersweet victory.

As the Interim Sheriff won a special election, following the passing of Sheriff, Pete Smith due to COVID-19 complications in mid-October.

Bryant told us Thursday afternoon, “It was an honor, of course you never want it to be in that format. Of course, sheriff smith wanted it with me throughout this campaign and on election night. However, it’s almost like a second and third endorsement that he’s done to ensure, because he had appointed me to replace him in the event of his passing.

Bryant has been with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office since 2005 as chief deputy and now makes history in Sumter County: as its first African American Sheriff.

“The level of excitement was just out the roof. I was surrounded by family, friends, and co-workers, who were all excited when the numbers started coming in. And the numbers started coming in in my favor. We’ve been in law enforcement over the last 20 plus year, and i’m looking forward to taking on the role of sheriff in Sumter County,” says Sheriff Bryant.

In holding the distinction as the first African American Sheriff to serve Sumter County, Sheriff Bryant is looking forward to being a role model in the community.

The newly elected Sheriff tells us, “It is such an honor. I’m just overexcited about being able to make history. And one of the things that’s so unique with that is that it allows me to be a role model for so many other African American males who feel like ‘it’ll never happen here in Southwest Georgia.'”

Bryant will officially start as Sheriff on January 1st.