Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Launches Special Services Unit to Enhance Civil Paper and Warrant Safety

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office has formally announced the creation of a new Special Services Unit (SSU), designed to provide added safety and support during the serving of high-risk civil papers and criminal warrants.

Deputy Jimmy Phillips, who serves as the department’s Civil Service Deputy, regularly delivers court documents such as protective orders and eviction notices—often emotionally charged situations. According to the sheriff’s office, this role is statistically one of the most dangerous within law enforcement and typically falls outside the jurisdiction of a tactical response team.

In response, Sheriff Rick Lang has established the SSU to ensure deputies have the necessary support when serving documents or warrants that pose a heightened safety risk. The unit has spent several months undergoing extensive training, including tactics, weapons handling, terrain assessment, and high-stress scenarios.

This week, the SSU conducted live-fire drills while using smoke and gas masks, and also trained in building clearing and responding to active shooter situations. The training sessions were developed and led by Deputies Jordan Jones and Rylan Brammer, both of whom serve as instructors with the unit.

“We’re incredibly proud of the work these deputies have put into this effort,” said Sheriff Lang. “They’ve trained hard to ensure that high-risk situations are handled with professionalism, precision, and safety for all involved.”

Sheriff Lang also extended thanks to Murf’s Gun Range and Bray Public Schools for allowing the department access to their facilities for training purposes.

The SSU represents a proactive step in law enforcement preparedness, with the goal of protecting both deputies and community members during volatile situations.