Distinguished Alumni: Sheriff Bill Massee, Class of '63

Sheriff Bill Massee is a dedicated public servant and proud alumnus of Baldwin High School. Born and raised in Milledgeville, Georgia, Massee graduated from Baldwin High in 1964 and immediately pursued a career in law enforcement. "I enjoyed Baldwin High School from the first day right on until I graduated," Massee said, "I enjoyed the people, great teachers, and I loved the sports there. I'm still close with my football team. The only thing I didn't do in high school was study! If I'd studied more I think I might have accomplished more."

After graduating from Baldwin High, Massee went on to Georgia Military College to his associates degree, and BBA from Georgia College in 1970, before working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for the next five years, but he always knew that his ultimate goal was to serve as sheriff of his hometown.

"I guess you could say I'm an old fashioned homeboy here in Baldwin," Massee said, "although my five-and-a-half years with the GBI was very educational for me. I worked narcotics, I worked a regional investigative unit in Statesboro, and I got a well-rounded education in law enforcement which is not only what I wanted, but needed."

Massee said that one of the great things about Baldwin County is that its central location to both the state and the region allow for incoming officers to take their experience anywhere. "If you do two good years here, I can help you go anywhere you want to go," Massee said, "I've placed over sixty people with GBI State Patrol and larger agencies. Over the years, we've been a stepping stone, and we've been able to help a lot of people with their career. I'm extremely proud of that."

"Over the years, we've been a stepping stone, and we've been able to help a lot of people with their career. I'm extremely proud of that."

In 1988, Massee achieved his dream and was elected as sheriff of Baldwin County where he is now serving his ninth term. Over the years, he has continued to serve his community with distinction, earning a reputation as a fair and compassionate leader who is always willing to go the extra mile for the people he serves.

"Growing up in Baldwin made me a good GBI agent because when I traveled around the state working cases, I knew how to communicate with people," Massee said, "being in a small town, you learn people, you meet people, you get opportunities like those in our public schools. If you don't play sports, you may have drama, or if not drama, then you may do cheerleading, or if you have technical abilities, you have availabilities in videos and computers. You have a world in front you that you can learn from right here in Baldwin County."

Massee's commitment to serving his community is rooted in his deep sense of pride in his alma mater. He credits much of his early lessons in discipline and teamwork to his time playing football for the Baldwin Braves under coach Tom Chandler. "We learned teamwork, and coming from a small town, we learned to play above our head a lot," Massee said, "because we had to be better than we were to compete, so the majority of people I played ball with developed a really great worth ethic. And I've never had to do anything harder physically, not basic training in the army or physical agility training I had to do with GBI; nothing was harder than playing football for Tom Chandler." These lessons have stayed with him throughout his life, and have been instrumental in shaping his approach to leadership.

For Massee, serving as sheriff is not just a job, but a calling. He believes that it is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Baldwin County, and he takes that responsibility very seriously. His unwavering dedication to his community and his commitment to upholding the law have earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and constituents alike.