A proposal to cut back the investigative division of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is making its way through the General Assembly. Sheriffs’ offices across the state regularly call on the GBI to help with cases ranging from missing persons and homicides to internal investigations, such as officer-involved shootings.

Terry Norris is the executive director of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association. He says many sheriffs' offices simply don’t have the manpower to handle major investigations without the help of the GBI.

"Our Sheriffs’ offices in rural areas and in some medium sized counties depend on the GBI agents to perform many investigative functions, so there would be a void in that regard and we certainly wouldn’t want those agents to be eliminated," said Norris.

Three regional GBI crime labs are already scheduled to close due to budget cuts.

Tags: Georgia General Assembly, crime, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, GBI, georgia general assembly 2010, crime labs, state budget cuts, Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, Terry Norris