Deputy Arrested for Simple Battery Resigns, Investigation Ongoing

BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Sgt. Andrew Hammond resigned from the Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) after a misdemeanor charge of simple battery, family violence on Sunday, Sept.22.

UCSO deputies were called to Hammond’s household for an alleged domestic violence incident. Upon arrival, deputies heard shouting coming from inside the house. After entering the residence, discerned that Hammond was intoxicated from alcohol.

They discovered bruising on Hammond’s wife’s person consistent with physical restraint, which affirmed their determination that Hammond was holding his wife to prevent her from leaving the premises.

Hammond was booked into the Union County Jail on Sunday, Sept. 22 on the misdemeanor charge of simple battery, family violence. He bonded out on Monday, Sept. 23.

UCSO immediately placed Hammond on unpaid administrative leave until they could conduct a thorough internal investigation. He resigned later that day after deputies escorted Hammond home to collect his gun, badge, and patrol vehicle.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has been brought in to conduct an external review of the arrest since it involves a UCSO officer. The sheriff’s office is still in the midst of conducting its internal investigation. It will forward the findings to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council for consideration of Hammond’s continued certification as a peace officer.

Hammond joined UCSO in 2013 as an investigator in the Criminal Investigations Division before transferring to Road Patrol. Most recently, he worked security at the Union County Courthouse.

In 2018, he received employee counseling for conduct unbecoming of a deputy sheriff due to overlapping personal and work life. He was informed to not use his work vehicle for personal use during or after his shift. Additionally, he was told to not become entangled in domestic disputes between a female friend and her ex-husband. Records show that Hammond understood the implications of mixing work and personal.

In a past position, he was the subject of an internal investigation for use of excessive force, but the claim was unfounded by investigators. Aside from those two instances, Hammond’s personal record doesn’t indicate any misconduct while on the job.

Before gaining a position with the UCSO, Hammond worked for the Morrow Police Department, Jonesboro Police Department, Tyrone Police Department, and the Pike County Sheriff’s Office.