Former Bulloch County sheriff Arnold Ray Akins is recovering from three recent surgeries and is ready to "go fishing," said his daughter, Juliana Akins Waits.
    Akins, who was sheriff of Bulloch County for well over 20 years and for whom the Arnold Ray Akins Public Safety Complex is named, underwent surgery in July for a softball-sized aneurysm on his aorta near his kidney, Waits said.
    Then, complications with the blood flow to Akins' colon resulted in the colon being removed, she said. Akins will likely have to wear a colostomy bag, but future plans could include surgery that will eliminate that necessity, she said.
    A third surgery was necessary early this month when doctors discovered a blood clot affecting three arteries in Akins' foot, she said.
    But Thursday, Akins was feeling better, and was telling family members he wanted to go fishing, Waits said.
    "His vital signs are good an doctors are saying he is doing well," she said. "Considering what he's been  through, he's pretty good."
    Akins was mostly uncontested during his reign as Bulloch's sheriff, and was succeeded by current Sheriff Lynn Anderson, who ran for the office after Akins retired.
    He is under doctors' care at Memorial Health University Medical Center, Waits said.