As elected officials, our primary goal is to ensure the safety of our constituents, whether it is financial, legal or physical. I believe the best way to do this is by supporting local law enforcement. These brave individuals answer the call no matter the time of day or night, and we, as citizens, owe them our gratitude.
We can do this in a couple different ways, and I take pride in sponsoring legislation to protect our finest and in being able to recognize these brave citizens by honoring the best of Georgia’s law enforcement with Senate Resolutions. These Resolutions recognize these brave men and women in the Senate chamber, thereby codifying their dedication to our great state. No one deserves an honor such as this more than our law enforcement officers who put everything on the line, every single day, for perfect strangers.
Last month, I had the privilege of honoring one of these incredible officers. With Senate Resolution 44, the efforts of Gary D. George, director of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, shall be forever known to the people of Georgia. In his position, Director George oversaw fire, police and all emergency services for the City of Alpharetta. Between the U.S. Army and law enforcement, he has served the people of the United States for over fifty years, fifteen of which he’s dedicated to Alpharetta. During his tenure, Alpharetta was rated one of the top departments worldwide for police, fire and 911.
Prior to that experience, he served at several ranks in the Independence, Missouri Police Department, where he became their chief of police in 1997. He’s also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development course (LEEDS) and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
Individuals such as Director George serve as role models in our communities. They show us how to act as civil members of society and how to protect those we care about. Their dedication and sacrifice allow private citizens to rest easy at night knowing that someone in their neighborhood is there to protect them.
We never know when or where the next attack is going to take place. We pray it doesn’t happen, but it’s in these times when we must rely on public safety and the military to keep us safe. Across this state and nation, our law enforcement families make tremendous sacrifices to protect our nation, and we must do all we can to support them. We can never thank them enough, but we can ensure that their commitment and sacrifices are never forgotten.
Presenting this honor to Director George is the least I can do, and I look forward to doing more. Gary George is a true American hero.
I encourage all my constituents, and all the people of Georgia and the United States, to thank our friends in blue.
to your business!