Douglasville Police Chief Womack to Retire: 'I Have Peace in My Heart'

Douglasville Police Chief Chris Womack is taking the city up on its offer of early retirement.

“August 31 will be my final day as your Chief,” Womack posted on Facebook late Thursday night. “I can’t thank each of you enough for the outpouring of love and support your have given me over the last 3 decades.”

• RELATED: PD Chief Womack Mulls Early Retirement After Council Vote

The embattled chief, 48, informed the city of his decision Wednesday, two days after the City Council voted unanimously to amend the city’s retirement policy and open the door to the early retirement.

Council voted to allow employees with 30 years of service to retire at the age of 48; Womack fit both requirements.

Womack posted his Facebook announcement under a photo of the sunset he saw as he left the office Thursday:

“This was what I saw pulling out of the Police Department tonight. I’m pretty sure it was God’s way of saying I have got you. August 31 will be my final day as your Chief. I can’t thank each of you enough for the outpouring of love and support your have given me over the last 3 decades. I especially want to say how much I appreciate all of your prayers! Rest assured, you will continue to receive excellent service from a great group of true public servants. I am proud to let you know I have absolute confidence in your soon to be Chief, my big brother, Gary Sparks. I have had the best partner anyone could ask for. He will make Douglasville proud. I want you to know I have been Blessed beyond my dreams to have had the opportunity to serve my home town with so many great memories and life long friends. I do not know what the future holds, but I do have peace in my heart and I am excited to begin the next chapter in my life. Once again, thank you for the opportunity it has been a pleasure to serve Douglasville.

Your humble servant, Chris”

The decision ends a difficult recent relationship between the city and chief.

He was suspended with pay in May as an investigation was conducted over charges of excessive force used in an arrest on I-20 in March. He returned to work on June 22 after the independent investigation found no wrongdoing. Last year, Womack found himself in hot water over comments he made about his department’s pay and attrition rate. The Council voted in a closed meeting at that time to keep Womack.

Womack, who grew up in Douglas County, told the Sentinel earlier this week that no matter his decision, he wants citizens to know he loves the community.

“I’m not leaving my community,” he said. “I’m confident that the Lord will lead me in the right direction. If this door closes, another one will open.”

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