Joseph “Joe” Chapman is the Acting United States Marshal for the Middle District of Georgia, sworn in on March 10, 2026, following his appointment by former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Chapman brings more than three decades of law enforcement and military leadership experience to the role. He began his public service in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1982 to 1988, and continued his military career with the Georgia Army National Guard for 14 years. He retired in 2005 as First Sergeant of the 178th Military Police Company, culminating 20 years of honorable service. During his military tenure, Chapman served as Camp Guard Commander for Joint Task Force 160 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2003.
Chapman’s law enforcement career began in 1987 with the City of Monroe Police Department in Georgia. In 1993, he joined the Walton County Juvenile Court as an investigator before transitioning to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in 1998. In 2004, he was elected Sheriff of Walton County, a position he held for five consecutive terms over 20 years until his retirement in 2024.
Throughout his career, Chapman has been a respected leader in statewide public safety initiatives. He served as Region 2 Vice President of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association and as a member of its Board of Directors. He was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to the Georgia Sheriff’s Retirement Fund Board, where he served until his appointment as Acting Marshal. Additionally, Chapman contributed to public safety policy as a member of former Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle’s Public Safety Advisory Board from 2007 to 2019.
Chapman remains active in his community, serving on the Alcovy Judicial Circuit Veterans Accountability Court Advisory Board and as President of the Walton County Veterans Association. He is a life member of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4421 in Monroe, Georgia.
He attended Truett McConnell University and Gwinnett Technical College, earning an associate degree in personal and public service, and is a graduate of the Command College at Columbus State University (2011).