The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested a former police chief who has been accused of theft, the bureau said in a March 24 press release.
The GBI charged Woodrow “Peewee” Wilson Burkhalter, the former chief of police in Pearson, Georgia, with 28 counts of theft by taking and 28 counts of theft by conversion, according to the release. The GBI also charged Burkhalter’s wife Angela with one count of party to the crime of theft by taking and one count of party to the crime of theft by conversion.
Burkhalter was designated as one of the managers of the Atkinson County Christmas fund while he served as chief of police in Pearson. The fund was set up to provide Christmas gifts to underprivileged children. In January 2026, the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office requested that the GBI open an investigation into Burkhalter over allegations he had misappropriated money from the fund.
The investigation revealed that Burkhalter and his wife allegedly misappropriated $30,000 from the fund between Nov. 1, 2019, and Jan. 10, 2026. The alleged theft occurred during a portion of Burkhalter’s role as police chief, and he used his access to the Christmas fund to misappropriate the money, according to the same release. (RELATED: Cops Arrest Two For Allegedly Ambushing US Park Police Officer)
Here’s our statement on the recent arrest of the former Pearson Police Department Chief and his wife in a theft investigation.
🔗: https://t.co/0RFUJ9RR0g pic.twitter.com/LPUoBddyAz
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) March 25, 2026
Pearson Mayor Jason Joyner reacted to the allegations against Burkhalter and his wife, according to WALB.
“Today is a sad day for Pearson and all of Atkinson County. It’s heartbreaking to know that funds meant for our children during Christmas did not reach them,” Joyner said.
“This situation does not involve the current City of Pearson leadership or our Police Department. The individual involved has not been part of the department for several years. Since taking office, we’ve put a strong focus on transparency, accountability, and doing things the right way. We’re going to keep moving forward, keep things open and honest, and keep doing what’s best for our community,” he continued.
Burkhalter and his wife are both currently booked in the Atkinson County Jail, the GBI said. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Alapaha District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
This is not the first time a police chief has been accused of stealing funds. Former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson was arrested for allegedly stealing $85,500 from two city funds, one of which was used to pay confidential informants, according to the Connecticut Mirror.
The Daily Caller contacted the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police to confirm the dates of Burkhalter’s tenure as Pearson Police Chief, but has not heard back as of publication.