Maj. Edward Lacey, a longtime Ellijay resident, is returning to lead his local police department after Chief Larry Callahan decided to move to become chief of police for East Ellijay.
Lacey, 46, said he has always considered Cherokee a great place to work and enjoyed learning from Sheriff Roger Garrison, who he considers a mentor. But a call from Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle convinced him the job would be a great fit.
“When he offered me the position, it was just an opportune time and a great opportunity to get back there and provide leadership in my community,” Lacey said.
Garrison said Lacey has always been one of his rising stars and has served in almost all areas of the department, including leading the uniform patrol division, internal affairs, criminal investigations, administrative services and in his present role as training director.
“He’s just an outstanding person, a great Christian and one that you hate to lose,” Garrison said. “He’s going to be missed but I wish him well in his endeavors in Gilmer County and I know he’ll be successful.”
Lacey said he has “truly enjoyed” working in Cherokee and for Garrison.
“My whole career here, he’s always known I’ve been working toward being a chief of police or a sheriff somewhere and he’s done everything in his power to prepare me for this day,” Lacey said. “I credit my ability to do this largely to him.”
Lacey is a graduate of the FBI Academy and the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College. He also received his master’s degree in public administration from Columbus State University.
He lives in Ellijay with his wife Lisa and sons Davis, a 21-year-old student at Mercer University, and Mac, a 17-year-old student at Gilmer High School.
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