Trey Drawdy has been selected as ����Vlog’s new Chief of Police, effective Jan. 1, 2025. He has served as acting chief of police since Sept. 2024.

“Chief Drawdy has demonstrated an impressive commitment to and understanding of the distinctive needs of our community,” said Kyle Marrero, Georgia Southern president. “His background brings valuable insights and experience to the position that will benefit our students, faculty and staff.”

Drawdy has more than 25 years of law enforcement and higher education administrative experience, most recently serving as the chief of police at East Georgia State College. A Southeast Georgia native, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, he has a proven track record of innovation, dedication and mentorship in public safety and academic settings.

“As the University’s acting chief, Chief Drawdy demonstrated strong leadership and fostered a departmental culture of collaboration and professionalism as well as a commitment to high standards of safety,” said Ron Stalnaker, vice president for Business and Finance. “He will continue to build strong relationships, including city and county law enforcement agencies, with our external partners to ensure the safety of our University community.”

Drawdy has served as the director of the Reinhardt University Public Safety Institute, a Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) certified law enforcement academy. Under his leadership, programming expanded to include advanced and specialized training for veteran law enforcement officers. Drawdy was later named interim dean of the School of Professional Studies and was promoted to captain within the Reinhardt University Department of Public Safety.

He has also served as department chair at Chattahoochee Technical College, where he developed the award-winning Law Enforcement Accelerated Academic Program (LEAAP). He was awarded the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction at the institutional level.

He served the Glynn County community through an appointment to the Juvenile Court of Glynn County in various capacities and represented the court as an inter-agency trainer. Additionally, he served as a school resource officer with the Glynn County Schools Police and oversaw training for the agency.Drawdy holds an associate’s degree from the College of Coastal Georgia, a bachelor’s degree from Armstrong State University and a master’s degree from Troy University. He is certified as a senior instructor through the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council. He has also completed the Chief Executive Training Program offered through the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

Student mental health is a constant concern on a university campus.

It is not uncommon for someone in distress to call 9-1-1. A police officer could be the first person to interact with a person who needs specialized attention.

To help evaluate and properly handle such situations, every officer at Georgia Southern has completed Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), presented by the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and the Georgia Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The training ensures that people with mental illnesses and other brain disorders will receive treatment in lieu of incarceration in most cases. 

On top of that training, the University System of Georgia offers two additional programs to law enforcement officers:

• QPR Suicide Prevention Training – QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer – the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help.
• Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training – MHFA is a skills-based training course that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorder. for police officers to help recognize and handle mental health issues and mental health disorders.

So far, almost 30 police officers at ����Vlog have completed the three different training programs, earning each officer a Mental Health Initiative pin.

“I am very proud of these officers, and appreciate them taking the time to better prepare for handling any situation they may encounter,” said Laura McCullough, chief of police at Georgia Southern. “The pins they now wear are a symbol of the care they invest in our community.”

State and University officials lauded the officers’ achievements.

“This law enforcement mental health certification program could not come at a better time for our university communities, given the state of mental health in our country and on our campuses,” said Jodi Caldwell, director of Georgia Southern’s Counseling Center. “Law enforcement personnel are increasingly the first responders to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. It comes as no surprise to the staff of the Counseling Center that Georgia Southern’s University police department is leading the way in Georgia for law enforcement interest and willingness to become trained in recognizing and responding to individuals in mental health distress.”

Caldwell spoke at a ceremony last month to present the pins and honor the officers. Also attending were Alexis Belvin, Georgia Southern’s SGA President and Chip Reese, Ed.D., former system project director for the University System of Georgia (USG) Mental Health Initiative.

“The USG Mental Health Initiative was launched during COVID to allow us to focus more intentionally on the needs of our students,” Reese said. “We have expanded clinical counseling services and supported mental health and wellness resources and programming across the state. I’m particularly proud of the QPR and MHFA training and hope it will better equip the officers who are already on the first ones we call whenever someone needs help.”

The following officers were awarded the Mental Health Initiative Pin:

Tim Alderman, Josh Barker, Richard Bashlor, Charles Bowen, Ian Craig, Laurence Croy, Steven Cushner, Sam Derr, Christion Doyle, Bailey Dyches, Jonathan Finley, Danny Garrigus, Kenneth Glover, Clay Gracen, Sarah Grey, Lanier Griswold, Patrick Holloway, Tyrone McBride, Chris McBride, Erk McCurdy, BJ McKellar, Alex Morris, Todd Olsen, Kurt Purtee, Dexter Renfroe, Erick Riner, Lamar Stephens, and Crystal Thomas.

Quick and thorough work by the ����Vlog Police Department (UPD) led to the identification and arrest today of Izaah Rollins, 20, in connection to the Dec. 5 armed robbery reported on the University’s Statesboro Campus.

Rollins, of Ebenezer Church Road in Swainsboro, was charged with one count of armed robbery, theft by conversion, and two counts of financial transaction card fraud. He is not a Georgia Southern student.

According to the victim, he was surprised by a male wearing all black and a ski mask hiding behind a dumpster near Centennial Place around 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 5. The suspect brandished a firearm and demanded the victim give him the belongings he was carrying. The suspect reportedly fled in a Nissan Altima with the victim’s wallet, phone, bag, keys and laptop computer.

With little to no evidence to go on other than the victim’s description of the suspect and the car in which he fled, the UPD Criminal Investigation Division’s work led to the identification of the suspect, arrest and recovery of the victim’s stolen property.

“I’m really proud of the team’s work this week,” University Police Chief Laura McCullough said. “We are simply not going to tolerate anyone preying on our students. We responded immediately and were able to build a strong case, and today – thanks to an assist from the Statesboro Police Department’s Emergency Response Team – we were able to make an arrest and recover the stolen property.”

Following the reported robbery, UPD increased patrols around all the residence halls, continued to conduct concentrated patrols around campus, and met with the Statesboro Police Department to coordinate efforts with their patrol units.

An incident on Nov. 22 ended with the identification and peaceful apprehension of an individual wanted for multiple felony violation warrants in Statesboro thanks to the work of ����Vlog Police Investigator Trevor Williams.

At approximately 11 a.m., Williams saw a driver on Lanier Drive, near the University’s south campus area, actively on his cell phone while driving. The driver, later identified as Javonta Lee of Claxton – who is not a Georgia Southern student, has multiple felony violation warrants that include aggravated assault, cruelty to children, theft by taking and criminal trespass.

Williams tried to conduct a traffic stop when t he driver pulled into the parking lot of a business and appeared to be stopping, but then pulled out again at a rapid speed and began trying to evade Williams. Williams followed the vehicle as it sped into The Islands subdivision. When the vehicle reached a dead end, it stopped after hitting some shrubs. The driver jumped out of the vehicle and ran into an apartment. The only occupant of the apartment safely left as officers arrived.  

Officers were able to contact family members who helped talk Lee into surrendering without incident. Statesboro Police Department, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol assisted.

“Whether directly on campus or in the areas surrounding Georgia Southern, our officers are actively working to keep the community safe and resolving incidents peacefully,” said ����Vlog Police Chief Laura McCullough. “I commend Investigator Williams for his work to identify someone with such a criminal history and his actions that ended the situation without further endangering the community.”

The Georgia Southern Police Department is dedicated to providing outstanding service to the University community and beyond. On Nov. 17, Georgia Southern Police Officer Katie Hodges was recognized by the Bulloch County Public Servant Committee as the Bulloch County Public Safety Officer of the Year for her quick response to assist a motorist who was struggling to exit their vehicle after driving it into a body of water.

The ����Vlog Police Department has identified Savannah resident Dominique Tukes as the individual who shot a Georgia Southern student on the Armstrong Campus on October 24, 2019. Following a thorough, months-long investigation by the University’s police department, a warrant was issued for Tukes’ arrest and he was apprehended today in Savannah by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Tukes is charged with aggravated assault. Additional charges are pending.

University police quickly determined at the time of the incident that there was no imminent threat to the safety of the Armstrong Campus. The investigation shows that the isolated incident took place during an illegal transaction between the shooter and the victim, University police said. 

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation assisted with evidence collection.

����Vlog, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 26,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit .

The Georgia Southern Office of Public Safety’s newest K-9 officer has been provided medical-related items and will soon receive a ballistic vest from Protecting K-9 Heroes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping fund K-9 operations and reducing K-9 fatalities around the country.

Officer BJ McKellar has been paired with K-9 Rocky, a 21-month-old Belgian Malinois, who was certified in May. Rocky is an explosive detection K-9, and his main job is to search for explosive odor materials as well as weapons that use black powder.

“If Rocky and I are called out to a scene, we will immediately begin searching the area to establish a command post and safe evacuation area if need be,” McKellar said. “Upon completing that sweep we begin searching the outer perimeter of the building or area we are called out to search. Rocky and I then move inside the building or area and do a thorough search. If there is a suspicious item found, Rocky will sniff the item. If he sits, that’s an indicator that there are explosives or explosives materials inside.”

Rocky’s new medical equipment includes Narcan, which blocks the effects of opioids and reverses overdoses within two to five minutes. K-9s are often at risk of ingesting dangerous substances during drug busts. McKellar and Rocky participated in training done by a veterinarian on how to use the Narcan.

“My job is to simply be the guy holding the leash with this type of K-9,” McKellar said. “Rocky is the one doing all the work. I can help guide him if I think he may have missed an area or I want him to check something again, but for the most part, he is running the show.”

McKellar said he is excited to start this new partnership with Rocky, which will include more training with other items received in the donation from Protecting K-9 Heroes. He said his favorite part about being Rocky’s handler is facing the challenges that come with a new position.

“I have never worked K-9 previously and neither has he,” McKellar said. “There is a lot more work involved than I initially realized. It may seem from an outsider’s point of view that you just walk a dog around, but there is way more involved.”

People on campus may see Rocky out and about from time to time. When he’s not in an emergency situation, he’s usually riding on patrol with McKellar or resting.

“I will get him out and play some fetch throughout the day,” McKellar said. “Other than that, Rocky is in the back and more than likely catching up on a nap. I like being able to learn and grow as a team with him and being able to create a new bond with him.”

����Vlog, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving nearly 26,500 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit

����Vlog Police Department’s K-9, “Bear,” will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Bear’s vest is sponsored by Optima Energy, Inc. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Optima Energy.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks. K-9 Unit officer Philip Garza said the new vest will provide a variety of advantages to the department. “The vest will enable us to be better prepared for worst case scenarios such as post-blast as well as an active shooter incident,” Garza said. “The most important benefit of the vest for K-9 Bear is it will offer ballistic protection to him just as my ballistic vest protects me. It increases my chances of survival as will his.” Garza said the vest will make him feel better when taking Bear out on a call. “At the end of the day, K-9 Bear is a sworn officer with ����Vlog Police, but most importantly, he is my partner, and the added protection gives me great peace of mind,” he said. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,000 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars. The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate. The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718. ����Vlog, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit.

Georgia Southern’s Office of Public Safety is the first public safety force in Bulloch County to incorporate body cameras and in-car recording systems into the daily work of its officers. The University has equipped each of the Police Department’s 34 patrol officers with body cameras and four marked patrol cars with video equipment. The University administration recognized the need for the cameras and video recording system as part of the Office of Public Safety’s commitment to transparency about the conduct of the officers with the community. Georgia Southern’s Police Department is among a growing number of police departments on college and university campuses that are using video technology during routine and critical calls for service. The equipment helps to ensure accuracy and accountability, expedite resolution of complaints and provide opportunities for officer training. In addition, the availability of visual evidence through the use of the technology will provide additional protection for both the community and officers. The cameras and recording system are tamper-proof and video cannot be altered or deleted. “The addition of in-car and body camera equipment is something our department has been working toward for some time, said Laura McCullough, interim chief of police of the Georgia Southern Office of Public Safety. “We recognized a couple of years ago the advantages of having video cameras for both the benefit of community and law enforcement officers. With current events and the social climate as it is today, it is even more important that we do all we can to continue to be as open and transparent as possible.” After researching several systems, the Office of Public Safety used end-of-year funds to purchase equipment manufactured by Watchguard Video to cover the needs of all patrol officers and cars and to purchase the video storage system. The department also has applied for grant funding from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to purchase additional equipment. Video evidence of incidents captured by the body cameras will be downloaded at the end of each shift and stored on a secure storage system. Videos are saved for 90 days and then deleted unless they are needed for a case, at which time a copy will be made and submitted for evidence. Under Georgia law, video recorded by law enforcement is not considered public record. Installation and system training was completed in late August. Following a couple of weeks of field training, the cameras are now in full-time use. ����Vlog, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit