Georgia State Troopers Return from Presidential Inauguration

January 24, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

(ATLANTA)—Fifty-four members of the Georgia State Patrol returned home Friday from Washington, DC where they served as part of the largest security detail for a presidential inauguration in the nation’s history.  The troopers had been in Washington since Tuesday.

           During their duty assignments, the troopers worked in partnership with the uniformed division of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department to provide security along the parade route and also with crowd control.  The Metropolitan Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for ensuring the safe and uneventful progression of the Inaugural Parade and with assisting the U.S. Secret Service with security at the hotels hosting the Inaugural Balls.  GSP personnel supplemented the uniformed presence during the Inauguration.

            “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of the troopers chosen to participate,” according to Colonel Bill Hitchens, Commander of the Georgia State Patrol.  “These men and women represented Georgia well during their assignment and their participation contributed to the overall success of the Inaugural activities throughout the day Thursday. The troopers are to be commended for a job well done.”

            Colonel Hitchens said planning for the security assignment began in November when the Georgia State Patrol was requested to assist with Inaugural security by Metro Police.  One trooper from each of the State Patrol’s 48 field posts was selected for the security assignment as well as one trooper each from the Aviation Unit, Safety Education, Criminal Interdiction Unit and the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT).  Captain Hiram Bembry of Perry and Lieutenant Eddie Grier of Thomaston were the supervisors of the Georgia squad.

            All expenses for the Georgia State Troopers, including travel, meals and lodging, are being reimbursed to the Department by Metropolitan Police.

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