Avondale Estates Police Chief Gary Broden. File Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

Avondale Estates Police Chief Gary Broden has announced his retirement.

In a statement, the city said that Broden is stepping down in June. He has been the police chief for the last 10 and a half years.

“The community as a whole, here in Avondale Estates embraces its Police Department,” Broden said in a press release. “The community chooses who it wants to serve and protect them and they have selected a group of officers who provide quality and personalized service. Some of our citizens have taken ownership and become involved with their Police Department by volunteering their time and service to the Neighborhood Watch Program, the Citizens’ Police Academy and the Citizens’ on Patrol Program. The relationship with our community has been and continues to be far different than many other communities across the nation, especially in recent times.”

According to the city, Broden has been in law enforcement for 40 years. He previously retired from the Cartersville Police Department after 26 years.

“Broden began his law enforcement career graduating from the Military Police Academy in 1974, at Fort Gordon, Ga.,” the press release from the city says. “He has served in both the Air Force Reserve and Georgia International Guard in the Security Police field. He graduated from the 139th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy.”

Broden said in the press release that he has enjoyed his time in Avondale.

“I have been privileged to be a small part in the evolution and development of the Avondale Estates Police Department, proving that bigger is not always better,” he said. “Professionalism is not based upon the size of the agency, but upon the size of the hearts of those who make up the agency. It is my belief that being a law enforcement officer is a calling and a privilege. I cannot think of another community in which I would have wanted to complete my law enforcement career. I appreciate the opportunity I was given.”

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