Biographical Information
Sheriff Jerry Modena

 Background

• Born and raised in Bibb County, Georgia.


• Served a 3-year tour of duty with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.

Education

• Attended St. Joseph’s School; graduated from Lanier High School.
• Received an Associate in Science from Macon College.
• Graduate of the Traffic Institute of Northwestern Univ. in Evanston, Illinois.
• Received a Bachelor of Science from Brenau College.

Career with the Sheriff’s Office

• Joined the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office August 1, 1964 as an Assistant Jailor.
• Rose through the ranks, retiring as a major in 1994, with 30 years service.
• Elected Sheriff of Bibb County in 2000, took office on January 1, 2001.

Notable Accomplishments

• Co-founder of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team; Commander of SWAT Team 1972-92. Received SWAT Training through the FBI, the U.S. Marine Corps at Paris Island, South Carolina, and the U.S. Army at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
• Recognized as Office Officer of the Year
  by the Exchange Club of Macon in 1983
  by The Shield Club in 1983
  by The Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1990
• In 1991-92 while Major in Charge of Special Services, he helped set up the Bibb County Jail’s Work Release Program.
• Chairman of Georgia Emergency Management All Hazards Council for Area 4, and Vice President of Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Region 5.

Personal

• Married to the former Mary Kathryn Knight. The Modenas have two children and three grandchildren .
• The Modenas are members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.