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Published Sunday, October 18, 2009 in Local

Crash victim's work goes on

By Elizabeth Richardson

The Times-Herald

Thursday marked the five-month anniversary of the May 15 plane crash in Beauregard, Ala., that claimed the lives of 56-year-old Judge Sanford "Sammy" Jones -- a Fulton County juvenile court judge -- and 19-year-old Sasha Medina, of Newnan.

Sarah Conklin and Joshua Rumohr, both 18-year-olds from Newnan, walked away from the crash with minor injuries. All of the passengers on the flight knew each other through First Baptist Church of Newnan.

Judge Jones was known for his work with children. Now, Jones' daughter -- Courtney Dalton, of Newnan -- is picking up where he left off.

Dalton grew up in Fairburn and has lived in Newnan for 11 years with her husband, Daryl, and her three children, Caroline, 10, Walker, 7, and Emerson Grace, 3. The Daltons are also members of First Baptist Church. Dalton's sister, Julia Edwards, also resides in Newnan, and their brother, Cliff, lives in Woodland, Ala.

Jones lived all his life in Fairburn on a farm. He worked for 30 years in Fulton County working his way through the court system to presiding judge over the juvenile court. At the time of his death, he was engaged to be married and was preparing for retirement.

"Everything was remarkable in his life when he passed away," said Dalton.

Her father's passion, though, throughout his career was children. "He fought for children all his life," she said.

In 2001, Judge Jones started the Juvenile Justice Foundation (JJF), which mentors to juveniles who are in the court system to give them a chance at a productive life.

"Instead of automatically throwing them in jail, he would ask 'how can we rectify this situation,'" said Dalton.

In March, Jones helped open a permanency center that aims to keep children with their families rather than having them placed into foster care. The center offers a variety of programs, including parenting classes.

Jones was quoted as saying, "We have to help these children and we need the community to help us help them ... we have to stop spending time thinking about all the reasons why we can't do things for our kids ... they deserve more from us."

Before his death, Jones was involved in a documentary on child exploitation -- "Playground" -- that aims to bring awareness to the atrocities that children face in America's sex trade and trafficking industry.

That 84-minute documentary will premiere in Atlanta on Tuesday at the Woodruff Arts Center Symphony Hall. It was created by filmmaker Libby Spears and Producers George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Steven Soderbergh. All ticket proceeds of the benefit will be donated to CEASE -- the Center to End Adolescent Sexual Exploitation.

"The filmmakers didn't know what was going on in Atlanta -- in our own backyard," said Dalton, who says her father was instrumental in the making of this film and coordinated interviews with pimps and children who were abused in the business.

"I knew the film was an important thing to him at the time," she said. "He left a strong legacy that I want to see continue on. He did so much himself, and now that he's gone, it's going to take more than myself to pick up where he left off. It's our turn to step up."

There will be a VIP reception prior to the showing of the film on Tuesday hosted by Dalton and Georgia's First Lady Mary Perdue. They will also be debuting a seven-minute film of unseen footage featuring Jones.

"This will be therapeutic, but it's going to be very hard," said Dalton. "This will be the first time I've heard my father's voice since he passed away. I'll get to see my daddy's legacy continue even though he's not here."

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Sanford "Sammy" Jones Memorial Playground, which will be built at Fulton County juvenile court.

"Children express themselves through play," said Dalton. Often, children sit at the court for long periods of time involved in adoption proceedings, meetings with social workers or waiting for their parents to be drug tested. Jones wanted a place where children could be children, and he'd begun the process of raising money to build a playground.

"That's what my father really wanted, and that's where my heart is leading me now," said Dalton. "That way, part of my daddy will still be there."

Dalton says she doesn't want Medina, the other crash victim, to be overlooked.

"His work within the First Baptist youth group -- within his community -- has carried on," she said.

The film premieres at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and the VIP reception begins at 6:30. There will be a question-and-answer session with a panel of experts at the conclusion of the film. Student ticket prices are $15 and all other tickets are $25. Seating is limited for the VIP reception and tickets are $125. Visit playgroundpremiereatl.com , or woodruffcentertickets.org , or call the Atlanta Symphony Hall at 404-733-5000.

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