VIDALIA, Ga. — Two Vidalia Police Department officers resigned in lieu of termination after city disciplinary records cited an improper supervisor-subordinate relationship and violations of department policy.
Personnel records reviewed by JM Audits identify the employees as Skylar Jackson and Maressa D. Klein. Both separation notices list August 13, 2026, as their final day of employment.
What the 2026 personnel records say
- Skylar Jackson: A disciplinary action form states that Jackson had a sexual relationship with a subordinate who was married. The form marks misconduct, conduct reflecting discredit on the city or department, and violation of city or department policies. It also states that he was allowed to resign in lieu of termination.
- Maressa D. Klein: A separate disciplinary form states that Klein had an extramarital affair with a supervisor and was not truthful during an internal investigation. It cites the same three policy categories and says she was allowed to resign in lieu of termination.
Georgia Department of Labor separation notices included in the files list Jackson’s employment as March 16, 2022, through August 13, 2026, and Klein’s employment as April 1, 2026, through August 13, 2026. Both notices state the reason for separation as resignation in lieu of termination.
Jackson submitted an immediate resignation letter dated August 13. Klein submitted a resignation effective that same date.
A separate prior disciplinary matter involving Jackson
Jackson’s file also contains a November 2025 written reprimand concerning a different incident. That record describes an internal-affairs investigation into a relationship between Jackson and then-Lt. Shannon Martin during a July 2024 gang conference in Athens, Georgia.
The 2025 form says Jackson and Martin admitted the conduct during the investigation. It states that Jackson was removed from canine duties and assigned to patrol. That earlier document identifies Martin — not Klein — and should not be confused with the 2026 disciplinary action involving Klein.
Read the personnel-records packet
The expandable viewer below contains cleaned image copies of the four supplied public-record pages concerning Skylar Jackson and Maressa D. Klein.
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Download the personnel-records packet (PDF)
Document note: These are cleaned image facsimiles of the supplied public-record pages. Existing redactions remain in place. The Georgia Independent social-media overlays were removed for readability.
Administrative records, not criminal allegations
The documents reviewed for this report are employment and disciplinary records. They do not accuse Jackson or Klein of a criminal offense. The findings described above are the City of Vidalia’s stated administrative reasons for the personnel actions.
JM Audits will add a response from Jackson, Klein or the Vidalia Police Department if one is provided.
Background: A City of Vidalia council agenda from October 2022 publicly listed Jackson as a police officer. The department’s official information is available on the City of Vidalia Police Department page.