Former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree Dies

Roundtree was the first African American elected as sheriff in Richmond County, Georgia, serving for over a decade.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:58pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or handcuffs against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash to create a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The passing of former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree marks the end of an era for law enforcement in the county he served for over a decade.Augusta Today

Richard Roundtree, the former sheriff of Richmond County, Georgia, has passed away. Roundtree was the first African American elected to the position, serving from 2012 until 2024 when he lost his bid for reelection. During his tenure, Roundtree worked to modernize the department, implement new technologies, and curb crime in the county, though violent crime remained a challenge. Roundtree was known for his visibility in the community and his commitment to making Richmond County a safer place.

Why it matters

Roundtree's passing marks the end of an era for Richmond County law enforcement. As the first African American sheriff, he broke barriers and worked to transform the department during his 12 years in office. His legacy includes modernizing the force, implementing new crime-fighting technologies, and striving to reduce crime rates, though challenges remained. Roundtree's death is a significant moment for the community he served.

The details

Roundtree began his law enforcement career with the Augusta Police Department, eventually becoming a deputy when the city consolidated with Richmond County in 1996. He was elected sheriff in 2012, making history as the first African American to hold the position. During his tenure, Roundtree focused on implementing new technologies like license plate readers and body-worn cameras, which he credited with helping solve numerous crimes. He also worked to curb property crimes and home invasions, though violent crime fueled by gun violence remained a persistent issue. Roundtree lost his bid for reelection in 2024 to Eugene Brantley after a runoff.

  • Roundtree was elected sheriff in 2012.
  • He served as sheriff until 2024 when he lost his reelection bid.
  • Roundtree passed away in April 2026 while hospitalized with serious medical issues.

The players

Richard Roundtree

The former sheriff of Richmond County, Georgia, who was the first African American elected to the position. Roundtree served from 2012 to 2024 and worked to modernize the department and reduce crime rates.

Eugene Brantley

The current sheriff of Richmond County, Georgia, who defeated Roundtree in the 2024 election after a runoff.

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What they’re saying

“We don't want that, no one wants to be that story, and if you are that story, then you want to see how you responded to it.”

— Richard Roundtree, Former Richmond County Sheriff

“Burglaries have decreased almost 50% of home invasions, robberies, armed robberies, but violent crime, as far as gun violence, that is the biggest issue.”

— Richard Roundtree, Former Richmond County Sheriff

The takeaway

Roundtree's legacy as Richmond County's first African American sheriff will be remembered for his efforts to modernize the department, implement new crime-fighting technologies, and work to reduce property crimes, even as challenges with violent gun crime persisted. His passing marks the end of an era for law enforcement in the county.