Command Staff | Muscogee County Sheriff's Office

Chief Deputy Larry Parker, Jr.

Larry Parker, Jr., was hired by the Columbus Police Department in 1986. He began his career as a Patrol Officer in October 1986. As a Patrol Officer, he served in the Patrol Division and Metro Narcotics Task Force. In 1991, he was promoted as a Detective, while working in the Metro Narcotic Task Force. After his promotion to Sergeant (1993), he served in the Patrol Division, Swing Shift Patrol / D.U.I. Task Force, Tactical Operation Squad, Desk Services (Support Services), and Special Operations Unit (Vice / Narcotics Unit). He transferred to the Muscogee County Marshal's Office and was promoted to Lieutenant in February 2009 and assigned to Field Services and 911 Center. In January 2010, he was promoted to Captain and continued his current duties. In 2014, he was transferred to Administrative Services / Court Services until December 2020. Sheriff Countryman promoted Larry Parker, Jr., to the rank of Major who is assigned to Administrative Service Bureau. He will be responsible to Human Resources, Criminal Warrant and Civil Bureau for Municipal and Magistrate Court, Pre-Trial Release Program, Sex Offenders Unit, Credentialing / Security for the Government, Citizen Service Building, Civic Center and the Columbus Trade Center, and Community Relations Outreach Program. Larry Parker, Jr., has a Master of Science in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from Columbus State University, Graduate of Georgia Regional Command College – Class 40, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and Minor in Management from Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi. Completed the Georgia F.B.I. – LEEDS (Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminars).

Colonel Derek Johnson - Director of Military & Veteran Affairs

COL Derek E. Johnson is originally from Los Angeles, GA and graduated from Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan where he received a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant in April 2000. He commissioned as an Infantry Officer and began his career in 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

Over his 27 years of service, COL Johnson started his career as an enlisted Soldier and as an Officer he has served in numerous command and staff assignments across Airborne, Light, Ranger and Mechanized units and deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some notable assignments include:

As an enlisted Soldier he was platoon medic and senior line medic in 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.Note: “He was a Private when then COL David Petraeus, was the Brigade Commander of the Devil Brigade”.

Rifle Platoon Leader, he deployed with TF 1-87 to Afghanistan in October 2001 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OPERATION ANACONDA) with 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

A/ S3, HHC and Charlie Company Commander in 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he deployed and led Soldiers in Iraq in 2006 & 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Leader Rakkasan), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY.

Battalion Commander, 5th Ranger Training Battalion, Dahlonega, GA and the Deputy Brigade Commander, Airborne & Ranger Training Brigade, Fort Moore, GA.

Deputy Commander, Operations Group (DCOG), Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Johnson, LA.

Brigade Commander of 3rd Light Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) (Rear) (Provisional), Fort Johnson, LA.

COL Johnson’s military training and education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Pathfinder Course, Air Assault Course, Ranger School, the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and the Command and General Staff College. Additionally, COL Johnson earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from University of Georgia.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (1 service star), Afghan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Master Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

Colonel Joe Mccrea - Jail Bureau

Lt Colonel Joe McCrea is a life-long resident of Columbus, graduating from Baker High School. Lt Colonel McCrea started with the Sheriff's Office in June 1979. During his tenure, he has served in patrol, investigations, and administration. Lt Colonel McCrea currently oversees Special Projects and Accreditation.

Education: Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University; BS in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University, and Graduate of Georgia Law Enforcement Command College (Class 3) at Columbus State University

Professional Career: Muscogee County Sheriff's Office 1981-2009, Director of Public Safety, St. Francis Hospital 2009 – 2017, Muscogee County Sheriff's Office 2017 – Present and Adjunct Professor at Columbus State University 2001 – Present.

Affiliations: Member Fraternal Order of Police and Member Peace Officers Association of Georgia (POAG).

Commander Robert Trombley - Jail Bureau

Commander Trombley grew up in a military family and grew up in the Columbus area. He graduated from Baker High School in 1988. He served in the Air Force for nearly 10 years before starting with the Sheriff's Office in November 1998. He has served his entire MCSO career in the Jail Bureau. He has a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University, Bachelor degree from Thomas University, and an Associate degree from Georgia Military College. He is also a graduate of Georgia Law Enforcement Command College (Class 84) at Columbus State University. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Major Lauren Stinson - Administrative Bureau

Major Lauren Stinson is a life-long resident of Columbus, Georgia. She represents a lineage of service, with a family background rooted in the military, public administration, and the law enforcement profession. Major Stinson is a second-generation Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy with more than 23 years of dedicated law enforcement service.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude, from Thomas University, Thomasville, Georgia. Associate Degree of Science in General Education from Troy University, Troy, Alabama. She has completed the Georgia FBI-LEEDS (Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar). Major Stinson obtained Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Supervisory Certification and has received several Narcotics, Peace Officer Training, and G.B.I. / Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Certificates throughout her career.

Professional Career: Law Enforcement career began at the Columbus Police Department in 2002, as a Cadet, before transferring to the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office in 2004, as a Correctional Officer assigned to the Jail Division. While assigned to Jail Division she was promoted to Deputy Sheriff in December 2004 to 2007. From 2007 to 2010 she served in numerous assignments, including Uniform Patrol Division, Recorder’s Court, and Training Division. Promoted to Investigator and assigned to Metro Narcotics Task Force in May 2010 until 2014; where she was recognized as Metro Narcotics Agent of the Year in 2012. Promoted to Sergeant in September 2015 and reassigned to the Jail Division. In August of 2016 was reassigned to the Administration Bureau, overseeing Bonding Companies, Civil and Criminal Warrants, Evictions, and Fingerprinting. Promoted to Lieutenant in April 2019, with expanded oversight to include Communications. Promoted to Captain in August 2021 in the Administration Bureau. December 2025, Promoted to Major of the Administration Bureau, where she currently oversees Bonding Companies, Civil and Criminal Warrant Division, Communications, Evictions, Fingerprinting, GCIC/ NIBRS Compliance, Quartermaster and Fleet Management.

Civic Organizations:Active member of the Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety (GAWPS), Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 (FOP), and the Peace Officers Association of Georgia (POAG).

Major Myron Strange - Uniform Patrol and Court Services Bureau

Education: High School Graduate from George Washington Carver High School in 1983. Member of the United States Air Force Reserve (1984 -1992) as a Security Police Specialist. Graduated from Chattahoochee Valley Community College with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice in (1987). Graduated from Troy State University with a Criminal Justice Degree in Criminal Justice (2002). Received several Narcotics and Peace Officer Training Certificates throughout career.

Professional Career: Muscogee County Sheriff Office hired in June 1987, as a Jailer, promoted to Deputy in July 1989, Reassigned to the Patrol Division December 1989. Assigned to the Metro Narcotics Task Force Unit as a Special Agent February 1991 until 1997). Reassigned to the Patrol Division November 1997. Promoted to Sergeant May 2001, and reassigned to the Jail Division, Promoted to Lieutenant January 2010. April 2012 Reassigned to the Operations Bureau as Patrol Lieutenant. Promoted to Captain October 2019 in the Operations Bureau/Patrol/Courts. February 1, 2022, Promoted to Major in the Operation Bureau Patrol/ Courts Division. During my time in the Operations Bureau, served on the Juvenile Drug Court Served Commit and Lieutenant of the Sex Offender Task Force

Civic Organizations: Coached with East Way Little League Football from 1997 to 2011, served on the Board of Sally Little League Baseball 2011 to 2014 and currently serves as a member of the Men of the Chattahoochee Valley a non- profit organization for under privilege youth boys.

Major John Wade - Human Resources

Director Wade is a former Police Director, with over 27 years of law enforcement experience. His assignments included: Executive Officer, Public Information Officer, Crime Prevention - Community Policing, Housing, Street Crimes - Narcotics, Criminal Investigations, Internal Affairs, and several task forces targeting organized crime, and anti-terrorism. He considers the best six years of his career while serving as law enforcement coordinator of a former US Department of Justice crime suppression strategy that, as part of a holistic approach, involved law enforcement, community policing, neighborhood restoration, and prevention, intervention, and treatment. Team strategy impacts under his command during that time attributed to a 50% drop in crime within public housing, an overall 30% drop in citywide crime, and recognized as Best Practices at the federal, state, and local levels. Director Wade is a Veteran of the US Air Force, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration and a Master's of Administrative Sciences Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He has completed Police Executive Leadership and Command College training through Penn State University, DEA, and FBI – LEEDA. As the Director of Community Affairs, Director Wade serves as the Public Information Officer for MCSO, addresses sensitive and confidential law enforcement issues from a non-sworn perspective, and establishes and maintains diplomatic relations with public safety officials, city and elected officials, faith based organizations, advocacy groups, nonprofits, schools, community organizations, homeowners associations, and residents to promote partnerships that are mutually beneficial to the MCSO and the community, as a whole.