ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Greg Edwards made history as Dougherty County’s first African American District Attorney in 2008.

Edward’s career began in 1983 when he graduated from Mercer University’s School of Law.

“My career took me to Georgia Legal Services, where I worked as a staff attorney, and the work that I did primarily focused on representing people who could not afford attorneys in civil matters,” Edwards said. “I did that for about five years, and then I joined a private firm.”

Shorty after in 1990, Edward’s accepted a new job with the Dougherty County Judicial Circuit, prosecuting crimes against women and children, giving Edward’s an opportunity to grow within the DA’s office.

Edwards said while he’s honored to make history as the first Black District Attorney, he felt a responsibility from day one to make sure the community knew he had a heart for and a commitment to all people.

“You know, I am the first African American District Attorney, and I told my staff that it means nothing at all. It means nothing at all to the extent that even though I’m Black, that means nothing at all in terms of my duty to the community, my duty to making sure that the truth is found, that justice is served,” Edwards said.

But at the same time, Edwards said it meant everything, too.

“It means everything to the extent that, to make sure that everyone feels that they will have justice,” said Edwards. “[I want] to make sure that everyone who comes through this court knows that they would not be in any way treated unfairly by reason of race, creed, color, age, sex or any other disparity in terms of being different from the rest of society.”

Through the years, Edwards has earned countless awards and recognition for his devoted community service.

He’s particularly proud of two accomplishments: In 2006, he became the first African American Assistant District Attorney of the Year for the State of Georgia.

“Literally, that was encouraging to other prosecutors, African American prosecutors in the state,” Edwards said.

In 2023, Edwards was named Georgia’s District Attorney of the Year.

“I’m the first person to have been both an Assistant District Attorney of the Year and District Attorney of the Year,” Edwards said.

Two of his most admired figures are also fellow Albany natives.

One is his grandfather, Elijah Marshall.

“He was a veteran who was the founder and first commander of the American Legion Post 512 here in Albany,” Edwards said.

Another influential figure in his life was Attorney C.B. King.

“[King] is certainly a name that is renowned in the history of the United States and Georgia and Albany,” said Edwards. “I got the chance to meet him and get words of wisdom from him.”

Edwards says his faith in God helps him keep things in perspective—and motivates his work as prosecutor.

“I try to make sure that things, you know, are done as fair as I can, truth and justice being the goal,” Edwards said.

In total, Edwards has now spent 43 years practicing law. And while he’s still enjoying himself, retirement does cross his mind.

“I’m looking forward to retirement. I am going to retire,” Edwards said.

When asked if he had decided on when he plans to stop working, he added with a smile, “I’m pretty close to making that decision. But I’m good for now.”

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