The United States Department of Justice awards the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department over $115,000 in federal funding.

The grant, administered by the COPS Office, will fund a newly created position within the Sheriff's Department for the next several years. Sheriff David Groves says maintaining and strengthening the bond their agency has with the community is important, which is why they applied for this grant, essentially creating the position of Community Outreach Deputy.

The deputy appointed to this position will represent the sheriff's office at community events and present crime prevention programs to civic and community business organizations, be responsible for creating and coordinating a citizens police academy and also assist area School Resource Officers with programs. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office plans to have the position filled by the first quarter of 2024.