John Harris, a Crawford County native, has been appointed as the Chief of Law Enforcement for the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). With nearly 20 years of service in Georgia, Harris is recognized for his commitment to public safety and expertise in forestry regulations, according to GFC Director Johnny Sabo.

Harris graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in 2006 with a degree in criminal justice. He started his career in the Motor Carrier Compliance Division before joining the GFC as an investigator in 2016. He was promoted to Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement in 2024 and has completed a leadership certificate through the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

Raised on a dairy farm, Harris has a strong background in public service, including joining the local fire department at age 18. He currently serves as the President of the Crawford County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and Co-Chair of Crawford County Young Farmers. Harris aims to enhance the GFC’s emergency response and build partnerships with state agencies while overseeing law enforcement operations that focus on compliance with forestry laws and resource protection.