Detective Ronny Morris of the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office can’t take away the physical and emotional pain caused by perpetrators of sex-related crimes, but the 10-year veteran of the department hopes his investigations will help bring closure for the victims.
“Detective Morris’ dedication to our department and the citizens of Whitfield County can be easily demonstrated in the type of investigations he has volunteered to take on,” says Sgt. Jose M. Rivera, who successfully nominated Det. Morris as Whitfield County Employee of the Month for March.
Det. Morris primarily investigates sexual assault cases, including child molestations and rapes reported within the county.
“In each of these cases,” Sgt. Rivera says, “Detective Morris strives to thoroughly investigate each one, which normally entails dealing with the needs of the victims, interrogation of suspects and preparing the cases for our court system to bring each case to a resolution.”
An employee of the sheriff’s office since Aug. 27, 2007, Det. Morris has worked in the jail as a booking officer, been assigned to the patrol division as a deputy and served as a detective in the criminal investigations division since 2011.
“Detective Morris has a remarkable work ethic, oftentimes volunteering to assist other investigators without being prompted to do so,” Sgt. Rivera says. “He is always one of the first to arrive at work each day and often one of the last to leave. He is a team player and a valuable asset to our division.
“Outside of work, Det. Morris is a loving husband and father of two young daughters, ages three and one-and-a-half. He is an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and during his off time he is a film enthusiast.”
According to Sgt. Rivera, "Det. Morris hasn’t received any awards for his accomplishments on the job as he often completes these tasks in a selfless manner. He never boasts about solving major crimes or making arrests on his investigations as he sees these accomplishments as being part of his duties.”
To help local residents learn more about him, Det. Morris filled out the following fun questionnaire.
Name: Ronny Morris
Job title: Detective, Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office
Time with the county: 10 years
Where I went to high school: Christian Heritage
My role as a county employee: Criminal investigations
What keeps my job interesting: The fact that what appears to be a typical case can evolve into something that I’ve never seen before or requires me to do something different and new.
What gives me a sense of accomplishment on the job: Being able to successfully close a case either by clearing someone’s name or making an arrest leading to conviction.
The most important thing I’ve done on the job: Investigating a case that ultimately resulted in a guilty verdict with a substantial sentence for a predator.
Where I grew up: South Whitfield County and in later adolescence City of Dalton
Family: Wife Ashley and daughters Emily and Alyse
After work, I enjoy: Spending time with the girls and on rare occasions playing a video game or two.
Community activities: Attend St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Favorite TV show: Doctor Who
Favorite sport/sport team: Atlanta Braves baseball
Favorite meal: Pizza
Favorite song: I’m more of a podcast person
Favorite Whitfield County restaurant: Tijuana’s in Rocky Face
Favorite Whitfield County event: Fall Fair
You can pick four people to have dinner with (anyone from any time in history) – who are your four people and why? George Washington due to him being the “reluctant hero” for American history, General Charles Cornwallis simply to counter Washington’s point of view, Leonardo da Vinci just because he seems like he would be an interesting person, and any one of the famous biblical prophets just to hear what it was like to see those visions.
I’m most proud of: My family and my current assignment at the Sheriff’s Office
Cats or dogs? Cats
Cake or pie? Pie
Favorite car? Ford Mustang
Host or be hosted? Host
Early riser or sleep-in: Sleep-in though I no longer have the luxury
Favorite vacation ever: Anytime I get to see the ocean
Best teacher you ever had: Dr. Simones who was my professor in Criminal Justice courses at Dalton State
Pet peeve: Incompetence as a result of laziness
If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s: “Wise men speak because they have something to say. Fools speak because they have to say something.” – Plato
Who has had the most impact on my life: My mom
What’s left on my bucket list: Take my wife to any part of the UK
If I could have been in any profession of my choosing, I would have been a: prosecutorial attorney
If I could have two wishes, they would be: Time control (future and past) and meet with departed family members for one day.
You’d be surprised to learn that I: am a big nerd.
The best advice I ever got: Always make a decision. That decision can sometimes include “no action,” but make a decision.