‘A super person’: Hartselle police chief to retire
t has been my privilege to serve with some of the finest officers - men and women whose courage, dedication, and love for Hartselle have made everything we have achieved possible."
For the Enquirer
Hartselle police Chief Justin Barley announced Monday that he will retire on Feb. 1, 2025, and city leaders say he will be greatly missed. “In my mind, he is absolutely – he’s just been a super person for us,” said Kenny Thompson, City Council president. “When we interviewed him, and I’ve sat in on hundreds of interviews through the years, Justin Barley had the best interview I’ve ever seen anybody have. I was totally impressed. And I sure don’t like the idea of him retiring, but that’s his decision.” Barley took over as top cop in Hartselle on Jan. 15, 2019, and replaced Ron Puckett, who now serves as the Morgan County sheriff. The City Council selected Barley in a unanimous decision.
Barley graduated from Falkville High in 1995 and has a master’s degree in public safety. He got his law enforcement start in Lawrence County where he worked for the Sheriff ‘s Office for two years until he came to Hartselle in 1999.
In a Monday press release, Barley said serving as police chief “has been one of the greatest honors” of his life.
Mayor Randy Garrison said it’s been “a pleasure and a blessing” to work with Barley.
“He’s done an outstanding job as chief,” Garrison said. “He has a heart for what he’s doing, and he cares about the people. He definitely has a servant’s heart.” Barley, who could not be reached Monday, thanked city officials for their support in his retirement letter.
“It has been my privilege to serve with some of the finest officers – men and women whose courage, dedication, and love for Hartselle have made everything we have achieved possible,” he said. “Together, we have accomplished much, and none of it would have been possible without the collective commitment of our department to this incredible community.
“After 27 years in law enforcement, it is time for me to begin a new chapter. I am profoundly grateful to God for guiding me and watching over my fam-ily and me during these years. To my family, I owe everything – your love and support have been my foundation, and I recognize the sacrifices you have made throughout my career.” People have applied to the Hartselle Police Department specifically because they want to work under Barley, according to Thompson. “He’s done a super job,” he said.
Garrison said the com-munity has shared a special relationship with the Hartselle Police Department under Barley’s leadership.
“It’s just a different envi-ronment here,” he said. “I mean, I think people appreciate the police, they appreciate what they do. We’ve got some good officers that are always willing to help, and that makes a difference. And it starts at the top.” Garrison and Thompson said they haven’t yet discussed possibili ties for an interim chief after Barley’s departure.
“We’ve got good leadership below the chief level, and I think we’ll make sure that whoever our next person is that comes in, it continues down that line,” Garrison said. “The police department is very important to the city of Hartselle, very important to me, and we will make sure that we get the right person in there that will continue the path he’s taken it down.” Thompson said he doesn’t expect they’ll have to look outside the city to find a “good, qualified person.” Barley said he’s filled with confidence and optimism for the future of Hartselle and the police department.
“My greatest hope is that I have served you well and made a meaningful difference,” he said. “I leave knowing I have given my best, and I am proud to have been part of this journey with you all.”
“I-Justin Barley Hartselle Police Chief
