For Immediate Release
Contact: Public Relations 404-969-4001

Thursday, August 30, 2007
Two Members of the Macon Judicial Circuit Leading State

Two members of the Macon Judicial Circuit have been elected to lead two statewide organizations. On July 17, Sylvia Lindsey, Investigator of the Macon Judicial Circuit, was elected as the Chairman of the Georgia State Intelligence Network. On August 28, Jimmy W. Jones, Investigator of the Macon Judicial Circuit, was elected President of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia.

Sylvia Lindsey:

“As an elected chairperson for the last two years, I have been honored to work closely with more than 250 agencies to obtain valuable information that has lead to the prosecution and conviction of persons responsible for criminal activity,” said Sylvia Lindsey. “The Georgia State Intelligence Network has members from many agencies, including the state’s district attorneys’ offices, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, local sheriffs’ departments, police departments, and more than 25 state and federal agencies.  I am very proud to represent the District Attorney’s Office in the Macon Judicial Circuit under the direction of District Attorney Howard Simms.”

“GSIN is a group of local, state and general officers who meet monthly in various locations across the state to report criminal activities in their jurisdictions and exchange information on crimes that are likely to occur in other area s of the state,” said Lindsey.  “Each member agency is requested to designate, by name, experienced officers and investigators to devote time to the development of strategic intelligence information.”

The Georgia State Intelligence Network was formed in 1971 by the Organized Crime Prevention Council.  The Council provides general oversight and the development and implementation of GSIN. The Organized Crime Prevention Council is a state organization and exists as a part of the Department of Public Safety. 

Lindsey grew up in Macon, Georgia and is a life-long resident there.

“After graduating from high school, I received a degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University,” said Lindsey. “While working in that field, I decided that I wanted to do more to help children. I pondered, researched and chose a career in law enforcement. I wanted to serve the public AND protect the innocent from criminal activity.”

“I received my Peace Officer Standard Training certification in February of 1987,” said Lindsey. “After receiving my certification, I began my career with the Macon Police Department. While with MPD, I worked in the traffic division, patrol division and in the persons division investigating sex crimes, child abuse and molestation cases, aggravated assaults, and murders. In 1990, I began working in the district attorney’s office of the Macon Judicial Circuit. I worked in the Persons Criminal Investigation Division from 1990 until 2004. Presently, I am assigned to the Property Criminal Division,” said Lindsey.

“I have completed 17 years with the district attorney’s office and have a total of 21 years of service as a certified peace officer,” said Lindsey. “I have been a member of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia and the Peace Officers Benevolent Association since I began my career in law enforcement 21 years ago.”

“My goal as chairman is to increase membership to include more counties throughout Georgia,” said Lindsey. “I have met a lot of wonderful people over the past three years and hope to meet many more during my law enforcement career. I would like to see more agencies sharing information with each other. There is an abundance of valuable information circulating throughout the state that could lead to convictions for local, state and federal agencies,” said Lindsey.

“I want to express my appreciation to the Honorable Howard Simms of the Macon Judicial Circuit for allowing me to dedicate the valuable time needed to serve on the board of the GSIN,” said Lindsey. “I would also like to thank Jimmy Melvin, the chief investigator for the Macon Judicial Circuit, for his continuous support. I want to thank my family and my wonderful husband, Steve, and my two sons, Branden and Emory, for all of the support and patience they have given me while achieving my goal of becoming chair of GSIN. Most of all, I am thankful for the strength, confidence and motivation God gives me each and every day that I place my feet upon the floor.”

Jimmy W. Jones:

“I am honored to be elected President of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia,” said Jimmy Jones. “After serving four years on the executive committee, two as a board member and two as vice president, I really look forward to serving this year as president. With the executive committee we have on board, we look forward to accomplishing a lot.”

According to Jones, the Peace Officers Association of Georgia has a membership of more than 7000 law enforcement officers. The Association is made up of sheriffs and deputies, police chiefs and officers, state patrol troopers, GBI agents, correctional officers, DNR law enforcement, parole and probation officers, FBI agents, and ATF agents, along with other federal, state, and local officers, including many retired officers.

The mission of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia is to help, support and be a continuous fighter and worker for the spouses, widows and orphans of fellow officers. The Association also promotes cooperation, goodwill and love among the various police agencies throughout the State. The Association represents the interests of all peace officers, their families, spouses and widows.

Jimmy Jones was born and raised in Peach County , Georgia and graduated from Fort Valley High School in 1969. He graduated from the Macon Police Academy in November of 1973 and from the FBI National Academy in 1984.

Jones worked as a sergeant for the Fort Valley Police Department from 1972-1974. He worked in the Peach County Sheriff’s Office from 1974-1989. He retired as chief deputy in 1989. In 1989, Jones went to work for the Macon Judicial Circuit for the Honorable Willis Sparks as a liaison between the district attorney’s office and law enforcement in Bibb, Peach and Crawford Counties. During his 18-year tenure as an investigator with the district attorney’s office, Jones has also served under the Honorable Charles Weston and the Honorable Howard Simms.

Jones has more than 2000 hours of POST-certified training.

“After serving as a board member and vice president and working with the executive committee, it is exciting to see the organization growing,” said Jones. “It is growing in several ways, including membership, benefits and training. We now offer 20 hours of POST-certified training at our annual convention. POAG honors the Officers of the Year for Valor and Meritorious Service, in addition to offering scholarships for dependents and active law enforcement. I want to continue the fine work of the presidents who have served before me,” said Jones.

Jones would like thank everyone who has supported him throughout his life. “I would like to thank my parents who have always inspired me,” said Jones. “I am grateful for the continuous encouragement and support of my mother, who will turn 80 this year. I am grateful for the love and support shown by my father who passed away in 2000. I am also grateful for my family and friends, and my friends in law enforcement who have always supported me, and last, but certainly not least, my God,” said Jones.