A now former Polk County Jail staffer was taken into custody on Wednesday, and has since been moved to Floyd County where he remains in custody without bond set.

David Edmond Johnston, 57, of Cedartown, was taken into custody on two counts of terroristic threats and acts and a single count of reckless conduct after a domestic incident at his home.

Polk County Police were involved in the arrest on Branch Road on Wednesday morning, June 8 at 9:30 a.m.

Johnston, who has worked at the Sheriff’s Office as a jailer on the day shift, had been a good employee prior to his arrest per administrators at the jail. He had previously called out the past two days before the incident occurred.

A full release on the incident was provided by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office following the arrest:

“On Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Polk County Police Department was dispatched to a residence on Branch Road in reference to a domestic dispute involving a male threatening to kill himself, along with his wife and adult stepson.

The male, later identified as David Johnston, who was employed at the Polk County Jail at the time, was intoxicated and was refusing to come out of the residence.

Law enforcement was eventually able to make contact with Mr. Johnston and take him into custody without incident. Due to the level of intoxication, Mr. Johnston was transported to Polk Medical Center for clearance prior to admission to jail.

Mr. Johnston is facing charges for Reckless Conduct and 2 counts of Felony Terroristic Threats and Acts.

His employment with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has been terminated.

We thank the Polk County Police Department for their professionalism and we appreciate the assistance of all of the agencies that assisted with the situation this morning.”

Johnston remained in the Floyd County Jail without bond as of this posting.

Because of the legal requirements put on law enforcement by state regulations, the Sheriff’s Office was forced to terminate him without any exception because he faces felony charges at this time.