A longtime Ardmore police officer will step across the street on Sept. 1 to assume the second-in-command role at the Carter County Sheriff’s Department, and an eight-year CCSD veteran has been promoted to the rank of captain.
Sheriff Ken Grace said he has selected Milton Anthony as undersheriff and promoted Gregg Johnson to the rank of captain.
Grace who served as former sheriff Harvey Burkhart’s undersheriff, was appointed to the lead law enforcement position in the county in January following Burkhart’s death in December 2007.
He served out the remainder of Burkhart’s term and then sought and won the post for himself at the polls on July 29.
Since January, the undersheriff’s position has remained vacant. Friday, Grace spoke with the Daily Ardmoreite about his decision to place Anthony in the slot.
“I felt it was time to appoint an undersheriff and, with Milton retiring after 28 years of service to the city and the citizens of Ardmore, I felt he would be an asset to the Carter County Sheriff’s Department,” Grace said.
The sheriff said Anthony’s duties would include assisting him in the operations of the department and stepping into the lead role when he is unavailable.
“I’m going to be more active at the state Capitol. I intend to speak my mind on issues before the Legislature. Sheriffs need to take a stand on pending legislation,” Grace said.
Anthony said he was looking forward to taking on his new duties as undersheriff.
“I’ve worked with the sheriff’s department and many of the deputies for years. I’m excited about joining the department and working with Ken and his staff. The sheriff’s department is a very professional agency and I hope to contribute to that,” Anthony said.
The sheriff said he promoted Johnson to the rank of captain effective Aug. 15.
“Gregg will be over the field deputies and all investigations, including narcotics, and patrol assignments. He has many years of experience and has helped in the operations of the CCSD.
He’s done very, very well,” Grace said. “Gregg is very capable and very dedicated. I’m expecting great things from him.”
Johnson said he was pleased with his new rank and his new assignment.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “We have some of the best deputies in the state. We’re going to continue down the road we’ve been on for the past eight years and also go in some new directions. Our focus is going to be on investigations and we are ready to assist any law enforcement agency in the area with equipment and/or manpower when needed.
