Ivey residents want police chief back on the job

IVEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Ivey community is rallying around their now, ousted police chief, John Richards.

Monday, Ivey’s mayor, Daniel Pope and city council members, Bill Shepherd, Robert Brooks, Brenda Broche, and Judy Veal  asked him to resign or be fired.

Now, a petition is circulating throughout Ivey to have the police chief reinstated.

“We feel that the chief was let go unjustly and it’s time we the people have a voice and stand up together to support and make right a wrong that was done, against our chief,” said Loresia Hodges.

Hodges has lived in Ivey for 26 years, and says everyone knows Richards and how to contact him when they needed him.

He was always willing to come no matter what,” added Hidges. “He was there for those who were in trouble.”

Residents say they want to have their say before the mayor and council, and they have no intentions of re-electing Mayor Pope, or the city council members, who voted unanimously to get rid of Richards.

Supporters say they back Richards because he has done an outstanding job as Ivey’s police chief for more than 15 years.

Richard clark says forcing the police chief to resign is just not right.

“It makes me feel like it’s something personal there,” said Clark. “Because the things they’ve said he’s done really don’t seem like, you know, offenses that warrant termination.”

Ivey resident, T. J. McCune wants to go on record in Richard’s defense.

“This man is by far, one of the kindest, most giving people, I’ve ever come across in this community,” said McCune. “He has never let us down in a time of need. It breaks my heart to know that he has been forced to quit!”