Say hello to Bonner Burton, the North Precinct Commander for Patrol for the Hall County Sheriff’s Department. He’s worked in nearly every law enforcement career imaginable. He began at the age of 25 at the jail. He went to the police academy, then went to patrol. Next, he became a school resource officer, moved to drug interdiction, and then to patrol lieutenant, before assuming his current position.
“It’s been interesting to watch my profession evolve through the years. I am fortunate enough to work in a community that generally appreciates what we do,” he said.
Bonner is the father of 2 boys, West (6) and Grier (9), and is married to Lindsey Burton.
“Decompression time from work for me is throwing a ball in the yard with the boys, and being with my wife. That’s when I’m my happiest,” he said.
We’d like to thank Bonner for his service to our community and for sitting down for an interview with us.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “When I first began, I was attracted to the adrenaline, but as time went on, I became much more in touch with the service aspect of it: being a part of something greater than you are.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Longstreet. I love the breakfast buffet.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “Twenty-one years for both.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “I met my wife, Lindsey, here. And, I’ve met so many amazing, interesting people here that make this community worth investing in.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A:“Alaska. I want to go see the unexplored wilderness.”
Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “’Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back,’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “From a personal standpoint, your family should always come first. Professionally, I’d say to put on your seat belt, and put down your cell phone.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To visit all of the major league baseball parks.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, and Journey.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “J Geyer–they’ve got all of the local high school stuff, not just for Gainesville High School, but all of the schools in Hall County.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch?
A: “Gov. Nathan Deal. He is the last of the great statesmen. He aims to fulfill the betterment of the state of Georgia. He’s done so much–he was a prosecutor, a congressman and now our Governor. We’d go somewhere off the beaten path for lunch because I would want to seize my time with him.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “That it’s home. I recently traveled back to where I went to high school in Virginia and I was ready to come back to Hall County.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “I see myself still working, and my kids will be entering the teen years. Full time job, full time dad, full time husband.”
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I like to work in my yard and cut grass.”
Q: What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Family and happiness.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.