Henry County Sheriff Keith McBrayer says he will retire at the end of his current term, which expires at the end of 2020.

McBrayer, who has been the south metro community’s sheriff for the past 12 years, said he wants to spend more time with his family and get some relaxation after 45 years in law enforcement.

"I began my career as a detention officer in Henry County in 1975 when there were only 30,000 citizens," McBrayer said in his Monday announcement.

He was 18 at the beginning of his career, he said.

Henry’s population has exploded over the last two decades. The once rural county has reached 235,000 residents and is the second-fastest growing population in metro Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission.

“It has been a great pleasure to have served the citizens of this county for my entire career,” McBrayer said.

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