Wayne Hannah, a 33-year veteran of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, this week officially announced his candidacy for sheriff of Fayette County.

Current Sheriff Randall Johnson has said he intends to retire and will not seek reelection next year.

Hannah is currently the director of the traffic enforcement and training division of the sheriff’s office. He has been with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office since 1974 and began his law enforcement career as a radio operator (dispatcher) under then-Sheriff James Jones.

He has subsequently worked with Sheriff Johnson for 31 years and is currently one of five division directors who reports directly to Johnson.

Hannah is the second to formally announce his candidacy for sheriff, behind Dave Simmons, a former deputy police chief in Detroit.

Since becoming a deputy sheriff in 1976, Hannah has served as a radio operator, deputy, communications supervisor, shift supervisor, jail supervisor and uniform patrol commander.

“Being a part of a county that has a reputation of tough law enforcement encourages me to want to continue that standing by enhancing and improving the efficiency of the sheriff’s office,” says Hannah. “My goal is to ensure that Fayette County citizens, visitors and business owners have a safe place to live, visit or own a business.”

Hannah said the sheriff’s office is a professional organization with well-qualified men and women who serve with pride and integrity.

“It is my desire to lead this organization to a higher level of technology, training and skill,” Hannah said.

Hannah also looks to encourage input from the community and will listen to any citizen concerns. He may be reached via email at whannah08@comcast.net or by calling 770-851-5033.

Hannah currently serves on numerous boards and committees representing the sheriff’s office within the county as well as around the state. These groups consist of members of other public safety agencies, the district attorney’s office, the board of education, and various citizen groups.

Hannah said he wants to continue representation with these groups because he believes it is imperative that the sheriff’s office continue a good working relationship with them for the betterment of the community.

“We all have to work together,” Hannah said.

Hannah said he believes that the highest ethical standards should be applied to law enforcement professionals and he hopes to be accountable not only to the citizens of Fayette County and its visitors, but to the employees of the sheriff’s office.

Hannah moved to Fayette County with his parents, Charlotte and Clarence, in 1969 and attended the eighth grade at the renovated school building in Tyrone. He then attended Fayette County High School in Fayetteville where he graduated in 1974.

Hannah and his wife Deborah have been married 15 years and live in the eastern part of Fayette County. He has a grown daughter and is the grandfather of 3-year-old Hannah Martin.

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