THOMASVILLE — The mental picture of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team in action conjures officers dressed in dark clothing, outfitted with fearsome-looking equipment, breaking down a door and barging into a building.

Such bold action might take place in some situations, but SWAT officers have done their homework and rarely enter a situation without knowing a lot about who is in the location they are about to enter. It might be a house, a school or outdoors.

In an active-shooter situation, there is no time to do homework or try to reach into the psyche of a bad guy. 

“Active shooter, we go,” said Thomasville Police Chief Troy Rich.

Until last week, police and the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office had a joint SWAT team. The team split, and police Sgt. Scott Newberry was named commander of the nine-member TPD SWAT team.

“We have four new members who have been in the military and have other experience that makes them qualified,” the chief said.

Newberry, formerly assistant commander of the joint team, joined TPD in 2005, after serving 15 years with the Grady County Sheriff’s Office as a road sergeant, head of investigation and jail administrator.

After boot camp at Fort Benning, Newberry served seven years in the Army National Guard. He was honorably discharged at the rank of second lieutenant.

A Whigham resident, Newberry, 57, is the 35-year volunteer chief of the Whigham Fire Department. He is assistant leader of Whigham’s Boy Scout troop. He son, Levi, attained Eagle Scout status in the troop.

Newberry and his wife, Joanna, have been married 39 years. They have two children and one grandchild.

A TPD detective, Newberry was promoted recently to the rank of sergeant and to assistant commander of the TPD Criminal Investigations Division.

SWAT team members develop a threat matrix about suspects in a situation. Officers know who might have firearms, if someone is a known felon, has a past history of violence and whether a suspect is a drug abuser or suffers from mental illness.

A threat assessment is done on every individual for whom a felony warrant is issued.

In a series of July 2018 events in which a suspected killer reportedly bound a Thomasville woman, held an Ochlocknee family hostage and is charged with murder in the death of a 70-year-old Thomasville woman, the joint SWAT team worked around the clock to capture Robert Carter.

After the Ochlocknee family was released, SWAT searched for two days and nights until Carter was captured July 7 hiding under a log in the Little Ochlocknee River.

“He couldn’t move without running into us,” Newberry recalled.

Roads in the Ochlocknee area were locked down, food was delivered to local, state and federal law enforcement officers and portable toilets were set up. 

“We didn’t care who were were feeding. As long as they’re helping, we were feeding them,” the SWAT commander said.

In a public suicide threat, such as when someone threatens to jump from an overpass, SWAT members develop a relationship with the person, learn his or her needs and try to help solve the problem.

“It’s not always a big show. … We’re just standing there talking to the person,” Newberry said

TPD receives several calls weekly from people in crisis. Patrol officers respond. Some are SWAT members. Some have mental health training.

“The lieutenants and sergeants are constantly doing this every day,” Newberry said.

The chief said Newberry is highly-qualified to lead the police SWAT team.

A SWAT response requires careful planning by not only police, but by the responding emergency medical services and fire departments, Newberry said.

“It is not a guessing game,” he said.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820