NORMAN PARK — The City of Norman Park announced Tuesday the hiring of a new police chief for the city’s police department.
The city announced Justin Rutherford will begin duties as the new police chief in the near future. He replaces former chief Shane Fulford, who left to become police chief in Doerun in September.
Rutherford currently serves as a traffic enforcement officer and K-9 narcotics officer with the Turner County Sheriff’s Office. He has been with the Turner County Sheriff’s Office for three years and also served as an infantryman in the U.S. Marine Corps for four and a half years before joining the sheriff’s office.
In addition to his work with the Turner County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford has served as a cheerleading coach at Turner County High School. He also teaches hand-to-hand combat at Agonizo’s Gym in Tifton.
The council believes Rutherford will be an asset to Norman Park and is looking forward to working with him. With his hiring, the council plans to hire additional officers to join Rutherford on the Norman Park Police Department. Norman Park had been without a police department since Fulford left in September and officer Sam Smith left in August.
