SHIELDS OF SHAME | PUBLIC INVESTIGATION
Georgia Cop Lost His Badge, Then Went to Prison
The disciplinary history, revoked police certifications and subsequent prison sentence of former Carrollton Police Officer Luther Alexander Houston.
An officer given a second chance
Luther Alexander Houston spent more than a decade with the Carrollton Police Department, serving from 1986 until April 24, 1997, according to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council records supplied to Shields of Shame. But the end of his career did not come without warning.
In 1995, POST initially sought to revoke Houston’s certification. A negotiated settlement instead imposed 60 months of probation, annual performance evaluations, a restriction limiting his certification to his current agency and random drug testing. It was a chance to continue working under heightened scrutiny.
April 1997: The tests and termination
According to the supplied POST case summary, blood and urine samples collected on April 17, 1997 reportedly tested positive for marijuana. On April 24, Carrollton Police terminated Houston for failing the drug tests. POST subsequently pursued revocation, which the Council ultimately approved.
His Basic Law Enforcement, Field Training Officer and Radar Operator certifications are listed as REVOKED in the supplied certification record.
The prison sentence that followed
The Georgia Department of Corrections information supplied for this investigation identifies Luther Alexander Houston, born in 1965, as having served a 24 month sentence for Violation of Oath of Public Officer in Carroll County. The listed incarceration period runs from December 1, 1998 through November 3, 2000, with Wayne State Prison identified as the most recent institution.
Important distinction: The supplied records do not establish the underlying conduct supporting the Violation of Oath conviction or demonstrate that the criminal offense arose from the positive drug tests. The disciplinary and criminal histories are reported separately.
605 hours of training and a revoked certification
Houston’s POST training history reportedly records 605 hours across the years documented, including specialized patrol techniques, hostage negotiations, SWAT training, accident investigation, field training officer coursework and school resource officer training. Training illustrates the scope of his professional preparation; it does not negate the disciplinary findings.
Examine the original records
These records are presented for independent review. Each opens in a new tab.
POST case summary
The disciplinary narrative, negotiated probation and subsequent revocation.
POST training record
Courses and reported training hours across Houston’s law enforcement career.
Why this case matters
Georgia POST certification is intended to provide statewide professional accountability. This case raises a straightforward public interest question: What happens when an officer already operating under a negotiated disciplinary settlement violates the conditions designed to protect the public? Houston’s documented history illustrates the difference between a disciplinary accommodation, a final revocation and a separate criminal sentence.
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Editorial note: This report distinguishes agency disciplinary actions, credential status and correctional records. It does not allege unverified criminal conduct or claim a connection between separate events without documentary support. Dates and figures are attributed to the supplied records. Updated October 17, 2026.