Former Pearson Police Chief, Wife Charged in $30,000 Christmas Fund Theft Investigation

DOUGLAS, Ga. — A former police chief and his wife have been arrested and charged in connection with the misappropriation of more than $30,000 from a charitable fund intended to provide gifts for underprivileged children, authorities said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that 55-year-old Woodrow “Peewee” Wilson Burkhalter of Coffee County has been charged with 28 counts of theft by taking and 28 counts of theft by conversion. He was once the Chief at the Pearson Police Department. His wife, 53-year-old Angela Denise Burkhalter, faces one count each of party to the crime of theft by taking and party to the crime of theft by conversion.

The investigation began January 9, 2026, after the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to look into allegations involving the Atkinson County Christmas Fund.

Investigators said that between November 1, 2019, and January 10, 2026, the Burkhalters misappropriated more than $30,000 from the fund, which was created to provide holiday gifts for children in need.

Authorities said Woodrow Burkhalter served as the Chief of Police in Pearson during part of that time and was designated as one of the managers of the fund. Investigators allege he used that position to access and divert the funds.

Angela Burkhalter was taken into custody by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and later transported to the Atkinson County Jail. Woodrow Burkhalter was arrested by the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office. Both are currently being held in the Atkinson County Jail.

The investigation remains ongoing.