Chamblee's Police Chief Retiring

CHAMBLEE, GA — Donny Williams, Chamblee's police chief and a fixture on the force for the past 27 years, plans to retire.

Williams' last day on the job will be July 1, the city announced on Tuesday.

Williams’ tenure on Chamblee’s police force began in 1991. He was quickly promoted to watch commander, a post he held for 12 years. In 1993, Williams was named Officer of the Year by the DeKalb Lions Club. He also was the force’s first training officer, a position he assumed in 1994. In this role, he was primarily responsible for the training and evaluation of junior or probationary level officers.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

When Chamblee's assistant chief was called up for active duty in Afghanistan in 2008, Williams was selected to fill in for him during his absence. The assistant chief retired five months after returning and Willams was made Captain, Uniform Commander in 2009, then assumed the assistant chief’s position in 2012.

In 2014, he became chief of the Chamblee Police Department.

"I feel we have accomplished great things at the police department during the last 27 years," Williams said in a news release. "I was lucky enough to be mentored along the way by long-time devoted city employees. I have been around to see many changes and watch my fellow employees rise to the challenge each time.

"I am very proud to have worked with exceptional staff who made me look good."

Photo courtesy City of Chamblee