By Megan Matteucci
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Clayton County Sheriff’s fugitive squad is searching for more than 100 sheriff’s badges held by people who aren’t legally allowed to carry them.
“We’ve only gotten one back,” said Lt. Brian Crisp, squad commander. Arrest warrants will be issued if they aren’t returned, Sheriff Kem Kimbrough said.
Ex-Sheriff Victor Hill distributed the badges and ID cards to campaign workers, pastors and friends. Kimbrough, who took over in January after defeating Hill in an election, found a list of 121 people with badges.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution obtained the list through an open-records request.
“The list is only what we were able to find record of,” Crisp said. “We have no idea how many he gave out.”
Some badge holders are former employees or officers in other agencies, Crisp said. Others aren’t as easy to find. The list includes pastors, a barber, a Pep Boys employee and state employees.
Acupuncturist Samuel Lee said Hill gave him the badge “for driving” in exchange for discounted acupuncture appointments at Seoul Oriental Herbs in Doraville.
Tyrone Spears, president of a consulting company and a contributor to Hill’s campaign, said he gave the badge back when the new sheriff took office.
“When he lost, that was it for me,” Spears said. “I don’t want to be associated with this.”
Charles Parker said he got the badge at an awards ceremony after pulling a deputy out of a burning car. It hangs with a plaque on Parker’s wall.
“I don’t use it or carry it around,” Parker said.
Crisp said his unit wants the badges back because they could be used to impersonate an officer.
Last month, Georgia State Troopers arrested Anthony McMichael after he flashed a badge in an alleged attempt to get out of a speeding ticket in Douglas County.
McMichael, a pastor, was charged with impersonating an officer. His case is pending.
“It was the vindictive spirit of Clayton County to go after any association with Victor Hill,” McMichael --- who isn’t on the list obtained Thursday --- told the AJC last month.
Crisp said he’s unaware of any other alleged illegal uses of the badges. Redesigned badges with a seven-point star have been issued to deputies. The old badges have six points.
Hill, who no longer lives in Riverdale, could not be reached for comment.
COpyright 2009 Atlanta Journal-Constitution