THOMASVILLE — A Thomas County Sheriff’s Office captain will not be able to attend funerals for two relatives who died in recent days. Neither will he be able to visit with family members.

“You take a chance,” sheriff’s office Capt.Steven Jones said, referring to coronavirus rulings that prohibit close contact with others.

Georgia State Patrol and other state law enforcement agencies are charged with enforcing the governor’s orders that call for gatherings of no more than 10 and distancing of six feet between individuals.

Georgia sheriffs’ office and police departments have been added to law enforcement agencies charged with enforcing the gubernatorial rulings.

Georgia State Patrol Post 12 commander Sgt. 1st Class John VanLandingham said his office was contacted during the weekend about a graveside funeral service possibly in violation of orders.

“I immediately sent a trooper to that area,” VanLandingham said. 

The trooper was en route from Moultrie. By the time he arrived at the site, the funeral had ended.

Thomasville Police Department is not providing escorts for funeral processions.

“We are in constant communication with the funeral homes,” Police Chief Troy Rich said. “They want to comply, but have no control when people just show up. It is a delicate and difficult situation with the family, funeral home and community.”

Law enforcement is monitoring graveside funeral services.

City Manager Alan Carson talked by phone with two funeral home owners during the weekend and reiterated the orders.

Carson said the orders describe funerals as “a critical service,” but not as an occasion in which people have permission to leave home.

VanLandingham said the State Patrol has every available trooper out on duty. Post 12 troopers are being sent to Albany, a coronavirus hot spot, to help enforce the governor’s orders.

The Thomasville-based troopers also are working shifts at an Albany motel that is serving as medical personnel housing to ensure unauthorized persons do not enter the building.

Post 12 troopers are breaking up gatherings in local parking lots. Anyone who does not comply can be cited with a state charge of reckless conduct. To date, no one has been charged locally.

Post 12, along with other posts in the southwest quadrant of the state, is assisting Albany Police Department with patrolling the city.

Troopers are patrolling Thomasville neighborhoods not normally frequented by GSP.

“Seeing a trooper usually sends a message,” VanLandingham said.