Sheriff Dane Kirby began his law enforcement career in 1988 with his employment with the Georgia Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer at the Gilmer County Correctional Institute. In 1991, the Correctional Institute was closed and Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office moved their jail into that facility. Sheriff Kirby remained there until January of 1992.

It was in January of 1993, when the Sheriff began his long-awaited career with the Georgia State Patrol. Beginning as a Radio Operator at Post 3 – Cartersville, he was responsible for radio support and communications for the second busiest patrol post in the state, second only to Villa Rica. This assignment covered Bartow and Paulding Counties, as well as over 30 miles of I-75 which averaged over 3000 traffic accidents per year.