When Janis Mangum took office as sheriff of Jackson County in 2013, she was widely reported as only the second woman ever elected of the office of sheriff in Georgia.

But that changed recently, when she learned that she was actually the third female sheriff in Georgia.

In the 1940s, Josie Mae Edwards was elected sheriff of Evans County. Edwards was appointed following the death of her father who was sheriff. Then she successfully ran for the job the next term.

"I found this out from an East Jackson High School student doing research," Mangum said, noting that it corrected her legacy as the third woman elected sheriff in Georgia.

Today, of Georgia's 159 counties, only two, Taliaferro and DeKalb, have female sheriffs.

Mangum, who decided not to seek re-election after three terms in office, was elected over seven other candidates in 2012. Then she overwhelmingly won re-election in the next two races as her popularity never waned while in office.

In December, a reception was held for the outgoing sheriff that saw more than 500 people dropping by the Jackson County Agricultural Facility in Jefferson. Several sheriffs and elected officials also attended the reception to bid Mangum farewell.

"I felt humbled and blessed," Mangum said recently about the large turnout. Among those attending the event was newly-elected Jackson County Sheriff Kevin McCook, who served as a training officer under Mangum, whose last day in office is Dec. 31.

When Mangum started in law enforcement, few women were employed as deputies. During her career, she has worked in most areas of law enforcement and spent 19 years in investigations, mostly in crimes against children.

As a sheriff, her office supervises the jail, court services and the enforcement of criminal laws.

"To me the most difficult part of the sheriff's office is the jail. That's the hardest job there. We're dealing with so many inmates that have mental health issues and there are no services for the mentally challenged," she said. "It's hard dealing with them. You're in there 12 hours a day and you take an oath to make sure they are treated right and humanely."

Another issue facing sheriffs, she said, is staffing, which also impacts the jail.

Christmas Giving: Empty Stocking Fund distributes more than $53,000 in 2024 campaign

"We're about 57 people short and 28 or 29 in the jail," she said. "That's a lot as we have an average of 200 inmates in there."

Jackson County is one of the larger counties in northeast Georgia in land size and population.

"Last year, we had 101,000 calls for service through 911 and it will be more than that this year probably," she said.

At her reception, Mangum stood before the crowd and recalled her decision to run for sheriff.

"I didn't know if Jackson County was ready for a woman sheriff," she said.

The county was apparently ready.

Today, Mangum said she loves to see women being promoted in law enforcement positions.

"I encourage women to reach for the sky," the sheriff said.