Demorest Police Chief Robin Krockum has announced his intention to run for Habersham County Sheriff in two years. Krockum posted an announcement to his Facebook page Monday after Joey Terrell announced he will not seek reelection.
Terrell told sheriff’s office staff and family members about his decision at their annual Christmas party over the weekend. He is halfway through his fourth four-year term.
Krockum has long been considered Terrell’s most likely successor. A native of Habersham County and 1991 graduate of Habersham Central High School, Krockum holds master’s degrees in criminal justice and public administration. He’s currently on track to complete his doctorate in public administration by 2024.
“In a way, I feel I’ve been preparing for this step my whole law enforcement career.” – Habersham County sheriff’s candidate Robin Krockum
Chief Krockum spent the first ten years of his law enforcement career in Demorest. He left in 2006 to start the Alto Police Department. Krockum then moved to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a patrol commander before returning to Demorest as police chief in 2016.
Throughout his law enforcement career, Krockum says he has logged over 5200 hours of specialized police training and has been instructing police officers since 2003.
“In a way, I feel I’ve been preparing for this step my whole law enforcement career,” he tells Now Habersham. “I’ve worked at the sheriff’s office before for eight or nine years and want to continue the programs they have in place and help them move forward.”
The election may still be two years away, but Krockum has hit the ground running. He has a campaign logo and a platform for things he’d like to achieve if elected sheriff.
“My areas of focus would be the drug problem that we have, especially overdoses of heroin and fentanyl, continuing our partnership with the school system, and finding ways to save money – to be fiscally responsible,” he says.
To those who don’t know him, candidate Krockum offers this: “I’d like the opportunity for you to get to know me in the next two years, so I can earn your trust and earn your vote.” And while he may be eyeing a new office, Krockum insists his commitment to the city he’s served for the better part of two decades remains unchanged.
“For the next two years, my focus will be on the city of Demorest,” he assures residents.
It’s a professional relationship that has served him and the city well. Under Krockum’s leadership, the Demorest Police Department has been recognized multiple times as the top small police department in the state by the Governor’s Challenge Awards.
Chief Krockum’s tenure was briefly interrupted in 2020 when then-city manager Kim Simonds fired him for refusing to fire an officer who complained about the city’s trash cans on social media. Krockum defended his officer’s right to free speech. The city manager and council members who terminated his employment were forced to reinstate him soon after.
Krockum is the first candidate to announce his intention to run to succeed Terrell, whose term ends on December 31, 2024.
