Retirees Honored

Retirees(L-R): Lt. W.J. Smith, Lt. Clifton Freeman, Lt. Lawrence McCrary, Sgt. Mel Hegwood

Lieutenant Clifton Freeman, Lieutenant L. H. McCrary, Lieutenant W. J. Smith, and Sergeant Mel Hegwood were honored with a dinner and roast upon their recent retirement. Between them, they had 119 years of law enforcement experience.

Lieutenant Freeman started his law enforcement career in January 1964 and served for 38 years. He was a graduate of Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy and received hundreds of hours of additional law enforcement training during his career. Lieutenant Freeman served his community as a mentor to numerous police officers. He was awarded the Sherm Applebaum Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award by the Athens Rotary Club for his exemplary service to the community.

Lieutenant McCrary started his law enforcement career in January 1972 and served for 30 years. He served the department as a member of the Criminal Investigations Division and as the commander of the Uniform Patrol Division's Downtown Unit. Lieutenant McCrary was a role model for those with whom he worked as well as the community by instilling ideals and morals while giving guidance, leadership and inspiration. He was a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy.

Lieutenant Smith started his law enforcement career in October 1976 and served for 25 years. He served the community as a mentor to numerous police officers and enhanced positive partnerships with the sexual assault community advocates before such partnerships were systemic, in an effort to make Athens-Clarke County a better place for everyone to live. Lieutenant Smith was a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT) and worked in Uniform Patrol as well as Criminal Investigations.

Sergeant Hegwood began his law enforcement career in August 1976 and served for 26 years. He too was a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy and received hundreds of hours of additional law enforcement training during his career. Sergeant Hegwood served as a chaplain and enhanced the development of forensic techniques and procedures . During his career, he worked in Crime Prevention, Uniform Patrol, Command Unit, and Criminal Investigations.

All of these officers were role models for those with whom they worked as well as to the community by instilling ideals and morals while giving guidance, leadership and inspiration.

Chief Joseph H. Lumpkin, Sr., presented each with a shadow box and proclamation from the Mayor's Office.

Back to Main ACCPD News Page