HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — America's longest-serving sheriff Cullen Talton has died after entering hospice care in early October, according to Gov. Brian Kemp. He was 92.
Houston County Sheriff candidate and Houston County captain Matt Moulton released a statement that Talton died peacefully Saturday morning at his home. He added that funeral information would be released at a later date. The Georgia Sheriff’s Association announced Thursday that he’d entered hospice care.
"We are deeply saddened to announce that Sheriff H. Cullen Talton, Jr. passed away peacefully this morning at his home," the statement said. "Information regarding funeral services will be provided at a later date. Please keep Sheriff Talton’s family in your thoughts and prayers."
Elected as Houston County Sheriff in 1972, Talton has spent over 50 years as the county’s top law enforcement officer.
“Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by the passing of America’s longest-serving Sheriff, Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton,” Kemp said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. “For nearly 52 years, Sheriff Talton remained committed to serving and protecting the people of his community and became a beloved fixture of Georgia law enforcement. We will keep the Talton family, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, and all those made better by his public service in our prayers during this time.”
Talton entered law enforcement after time in politics. He was a Houston County commissioner before being elected sheriff.
He had plenty of farm experience, but Talton had never worked in law enforcement.
Over the past 50 years, he has steered the ship at the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, but he was not one to seek the spotlight. He preferred to let his employees take the spotlight.
As Houston County grew, the sheriff’s office did as well. When Talton started, the office only had 28 employees. Today, they have more than 300.
"The Warner Robins Police Department is heartbroken for the Houston County Sheriff's Office-GA and the Talton family on the passing of Sheriff Talton," The Warner Robins Police Department said on Facebook. "Sheriff Talton was a staple in our community and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the HCSO and the Talton family at this time."
In September 2023, Talton announced that his 13th term would be his last
"It's time for me to hang it up, so I won't run again," Talton told 13WMAZ at the time.
However, over the years, Talton said that being Houston County's Sheriff has been a joy.
"I enjoy what I'm doing!" he said.
As technology changed and crime evolved, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office under Talton had adapted too, adding new divisions and offering new services.
With that leadership, Talton was honored time and time again for his years of service. Just five years ago, Talton was honored at the luncheon and named Georgia Sheriff of the Year.
He announced his decision to not seek another term as the county commission honored him with a resolution.
His grandkids were there and spoke to him as a person — and grandfather.
"He's always been, kinda like, the person, like, the peacekeeper of the family," Ellie Talton said. "He's just such a role model to me. The way he always loves everybody, and how he always wants to serve. It just impacted not just me but the whole county as a whole. Just to love others and to serve others, not just on the county level."
From his record-breaking tenure at the sheriff’s office to creating a new detention center at the turn of the century, Talton's tenure at the sheriff’s office has been historic.