Godbold hopes to bring police, deputies together

By Emily Ham (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, October 7, 2009

NATCHEZ — Over the past 29 years, Natchez Police Sgt. Craig Godbold has served his country and the city of Natchez.

And now, Godbold, 51, is running for Adams County Sheriff with hopes to bring police officers and sheriff’s deputies together to protect and benefit the county’s residents.

“We have to be able to work hand in hand because there is no boundary between the city and county line as far as crime is concerned,” Godbold said.

Straight out of high school, Godbold began his 11-year military career with the United States Army where he worked his way up to a platoon sergeant and a tank commander. During this time, he was awarded a bronze star for military action.

After the Army, he began working with the Natchez Police Department and has protected the citizens of Natchez for the last 18 years.

“I started out working as a patrol officer for two years, and then worked as a K-9 officer for eight years,” Godbold said.

After working with the K-9 patrol narcotics unit, he went on to work as a detective for the NPD and was promoted to the role of patrol supervisor, then criminal investigations division supervisor — the position he currently holds along with his position as S.W.A.T. team commander.

“Everything I’ve done has been hands-on,” Godbold said. “I wasn’t appointed to anything. I’ve earned it.”

Godbold said he wants to bring safety and missing bond money back into the county.

“One of the major things I would do is form a task force that would work with the sheriff’s office and work in a warrant capacity,” Godbold said. “We’d be picking up the fines that are still out there.”

Godbold said he and a partner worked in a similar setting for three months and brought in approximately $60,000.

Bringing back the K-9 unit for the county, more deputy visibility, school walk-throughs and the continued efforts of the Neighborhood Watch programs are also on Godbold’s “to-do” list.

“If we work with the community, we can fight crime better. We can’t do anything without the public. We’re servants to them. We’re sworn to protect them, and if you’re not doing it, you’re not doing your job,” Godbold said.

Godbold is one of eight Adams County sheriff candidates.

The special election will be Nov. 3.