On Friday, December 29th 2011, Chief of
Athens Police Department, Wayne
Harper, retired from his position which will be
temporarily replaced by Capt. Floyd Johnson while the Athens
City Council interview for a replacement.
Harper was surrounded
by his family, with wife Vonette at his side as she was in
1988 when Harper came to Athens to be interviewed for the
position.
Uncle Robert Harper,
retired Lieutenant from Birmingham police department,
attended the retirement ceremony. "He is the reason I became
a law enforcement officer when I came home after the Army",
Harper said. "So he is the one we can blame for all this",
he jokingly remarked. Harper continued, I've worked for 4
mayors, I've always been treated fairly... and always
treated well... and had a great tenure."
There were many
colleagues and friends who spoke on Harper's behalf, Mayor
Marks, Sheriff Blakely, Representative Dan Williams,
Harper's secretary Debby Smith, Donna Hood who said Harper
was her inspiration while she worked with the department,
Captain Floyd, Captain and he received many gifts and
commemorative plaques.
Harper and Vonette
plan to do some traveling and he is going fishing!
Teresa Todd
Athensplus.com
December 30th, 2011
