Statesboro detective is running for Probate Judge

Longtime Statesboro Police Department detective Kevin Wadley is seeking to fill the vacant Bulloch County Probate Judge seat when Judge Lee DeLoach retires at the end of the year.

Wadley declared his candidacy last week in an announcement where he pledged to “continue to uphold the values of [the] office by always providing an environment built on trust, honor, and integrity by giving the citizens of Bulloch County the highest level of professionalism and service we have come to expect over the years under the direction of Judge DeLoach.”

Photo: Facebook

Kevin Wadley has worked with the Statesboro Police Department and the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office since 2001, but spent time with the DEA in Savannah and has worked with the U.S. Attorneys Office. In an interview with AllOnGeorgia, Wadley said, “It’s time for me to take everything I’ve learned, all my experience, and what I’ve been through working with the public and move that to the Probate Court.”

He believes his tenure in law enforcement makes him uniquely qualified to serve as the next probate judge. Some of his goals in serving include:

• Continuing to uphold the integrity of the probate judge position by providing the highest level of service to all citizens
• Being committed and available to the citizens of Bulloch County by maintaining an open-door policy
• always proving the kind of service the Bulloch County citizens deserve and expect through leadership, compassion, and integrity

Wadley, a Bulloch County  native, is a member of the Statesboro Kiwanis Club and attended Georgia Southern University. He is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Georgia Narcotics Officers Association, the Police Officers Association of Georgia, and received a certification from Armstrong State University as a Georgia Peace Officer.

He and his wife, Amanda, live in Bulloch County and have one son, Landon. Wadley has a campaign page on Facebook.

The Probate Judge is responsible for issuing marriage license, conceal carry permits, habeus corpus hearings, preliminary trial hearings, consideration of wills and estates, and appointment of guardians and involuntary hospitalization of individuals. State law does not require probate judges to be attorneys.

The race is nonpartisan, but the election will be held the same date as the municipal, county, and primary races – May 24, 2016. The deadline to register to vote in that election is April 26. The term is four years.