Johnny Moats, of Cedartown, anounces his candidacy for Polk County Sheriff.

Moats is the son of Rockmart native Bobby Moats and Dianne (Ball) Moats from Cedartown. Moats is a lifelong resident of Polk County and is a Cedartown High School graduate.

He and his wife, Yvonne (Garrett) Moats, have been married 18 years. They have two children. They are active members of New Hope Baptist Church in Cedartown.

Moats served 12 years with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and received his Senior Deputy Certification in 2009. This certification is granted to individuals who have received specialized training in the duties and responsibilities related to the office of sherrif.

"As your sheriff, I will work hard to earn the trust and respect from the community," Moats said. "I will employ only the most qualified, professional and local personnel to serve the citizens of our county.

"Every citizen deserves a sheriff's office that places value on morals, ethics, integrity and professionalism, and that's what we'll have."

Moats has selected Jonathan Blackmon as his chief deputy.

Blackmon is a Polk County native and a Cedartown High School graduate. He received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of West Georgia. Blackmon has been employed in law enforcement for the State of Georgia for 16 years.

Blackmon and his wife, Kellie (Baldwin) Blackmon, have been married for 15 years and they have two children. Blackmon also is the youth minister at New Hope Baptist Church in Cedartown.

Moats said he is not motivated by political influence, and his sole motivation is to make the Polk County Sheriff's Office the best that it can be.

Moats can be reached at (770) 722-1217.