Home/Local/June 16 – Sheriff John T. Wilcher hospitalized in critical condition | Health and hospitals

June 16 – Sheriff John T. Wilcher hospitalized in critical condition | Health and hospitals

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

1 2 minutes read

June 16, 2024 – Earlier this afternoon, the Chatham County Sheriff's Office informed the community that Sheriff John T. Wilcher is currently receiving medical treatment at the hospital and is in critical condition.

SBJ learned he was receiving treatment at St. Joseph's/Candler in Savannah.

“We do not have further details to share at this time. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, we ask that you respect the privacy of the sheriff's family Wilcher during this time. Thank you for your understanding, support and prayers,” the statement said.

A veteran law enforcement officer with 46 years of service to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff John T. Wilcher has served in nearly every law enforcement position. After serving in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Reserves for a total of six years, Sheriff Wilcher began his career with the Sheriff's Office in 1974 at the old Chatham County Jail on Habersham Street, downtown Savannah. In 2014, he retired at the rank of Colonel from the Sheriff's Office and in April 2016, he won the Chatham County Sheriff's special election to replace the late Sheriff Al St. Lawrence. In November 2016, he won the general election for a four-year term as sheriff. Unopposed in 2020, Wilcher was re-elected to another four-year term.

As a lifelong resident of Savannah, Sheriff Wilcher has a proven dedication to the Chatham County community. He has been recognized by several organizations for his outstanding service, including being the recipient of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association's Award of Excellence, the Savannah Bar Association's Edward Hester Award, the Trial Lawyer's Award and was named the 2019 Georgia Champion Equality for Equality, MLK Award: 2020 Official of the Year and Liberty Bell Award from the Young Lawyers of Savannah Bar Association.

In his capacity as sheriff, Wilcher volunteered for the Georgia Sheriffs' youth centers and, for many years, was instrumental in raising more than $350,000 for the organization through the annual run Chatham County Sheriff's Office Poker Club, which he created and organized for 17 years. In 2018, Sheriff Wilcher and his dedicated team began working toward accreditation of mental health services. In 2019, the Sheriff's Office became the first jail in the nation to receive accreditation for mental health services as well as the first to earn dual accreditation in mental health and health services from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).

Sheriff Wilcher is married to his wife Dorothy and they have two adult children.

Wilcher is currently running for re-election against Democratic candidate Richard Coleman.

SBJ will update this story with more details as they become available.