Community gathers to celebrate 30-year career of Ron Puckett

Friends, family, community members and corworkers gathered together at the Sparkman Civic Center Monday night to celebrate the career of Hartselle Police Chief Ron Puckett. Puckett, whose career with the Hartselle Police Department spans nearly three decades, was recently elected as the incoming Morgan County Sheriff. He will be inaguarated in January. 

Various friends and people in the community who have worked with Puckett through the years spoke about their experiences with him. Those included Mayor Randy Garrison, Mike Swafford, Daxton Maze, formers HPD police chiefs, Hartselle City Schools superintendent Dr. Dee Dee Jones and Capt. Tom Sparks. 

“I think the greatest impact he has made on the department … and the community through the years is his investment in people and the example that he is each and every day,” Sparks said. “He truly, genuinely loves people from all walks of life, it doesn’t matter where they came from, what their social status is … he truly loves people.” 

Puckett addressed the crowd through tears and said his time with the city of Hartselle has been an honor and a priviledge. 

“It has been the greatest joy of my adult life (to serve) the men and women of Hartselle Police Department and to serve our citizens and the City of Hartselle.”

“I really feel a calling from the Lord … to be able to share His love with  not only the officers I work with the also the citizens that I serve,” Puckett said.