Rex Johnson returns to helm of drug task force

Rex Johnson was appointed unanimously to serve as the Commander of the South Central Drug Task Force following this month’s resignation of former Commander Dan Wilcox. Johnson served as the agency’s first commander and is credited with organizing the drug task force and serving two successful years as commander before leaving to pursue a calling to the ministry. This position will allow for him to continue to remain as pastor of Christian Fellowship Church in Fitzgerald while working in a bi-vocational role as commander of the DTF.

Sheriff Stacey Bloodworth, chairman of the Operations Control Board that provides oversight to the DTF, said that “Rex Johnson brings the experience and training to the table that this agency needs to take us to next level of drug enforcement for our communities.” Johnson will begin his duties Monday.

Johnson, a graduate of ABAC Police Academy with POST certification, has an extensive background in local law enforcement dating back to 1992. He began his law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff employed by the Irwin County Sheriff's Office from 1992-2002.

Johnson was enrolled in the police academy by Chief Bill Smallwood and the Fitzgerald Police Department. His law enforcement career started with the Ashburn Police Department as a foot patrol officer. After five months of service with Ashburn Police Department, Sheriff Leonard Pope hired him in 1992 as a deputy for the Irwin County Sheriff’s Office. While employed with the ICSO, he has served as a deputy, investigator, chief deputy under the late Sheriff Welcie Florence and then acting sheriff until a special election was held and Sheriff Youghn was elected as sheriff of Irwin County.

“I look forward to the opportunity to lead the task force into the future,” Johnson said. “I want to thank Sheriff Bloodworth and the Control Board for allowing me the opportunity to serve again as the task force commander. We will, without a doubt, continue to work together to fight the drug epidemic in our communities. I feel there is a dual purpose that we can now help in our communities. We need to rid the drugs from our children, but as well we need to rid our children’s minds from the drugs.

“With my invested interest from the inception of this agency, I want to rebuild this agency and re-establish relationships with all local law enforcement officers throughout our area.”

He is married to Pam Johnson, and they reside in Irwin County with their two sons.

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