6:53 PM Abbeville City Council Names New Police Chief

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 3781

Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
3347901729
Date: Jan 19 2021 7:03 PM

ABBEVILLE:    6:53 PM     Tonight following an Executive Session of the Abbeville Mayor and Abbeville City Council Members, the council followed the recommendation of the Mayor and named Eric Blakenship as Police Chief for the City of Abbeville.

Eric Blakenship is currently a Henry County Deputy Sheriff where he serves as a Sergeant in Criminal Investigations. Blakenship will assume the duties of Police Chief on Saturday.

Chief Blakenship said he had discussed with Henry County Sheriff Will Maddox about a notice if he was named as Abbeville Police Chief. Sheriff Maddox said Blakenship could begin immediately if hired. The departments are across the street from each other and work together on cases so the transition will be easy.

The start date is the beginning of a new pay period for the City of Abbeville workforce. The salary has yet to be named and pending a meeting between the Abbeville Mayor and Blakenship. He is named as Chief for a four year period which is consistent with the term of the Mayor and City Council.

Beginning with each new term of office the Mayor and City Council of municipalities and towns of a certain category the Mayor and Council are required to name the Town Clerk and Police Chief. There might be other positions but at this time I am not sure what they are.

Abbeville has been served by a Interim Police Chief for six months or more. 

On the agenda tonight was to name a person to serve on the Henry County 911 Board. That item was tabled pending a recommendation from Chief Blakenship.

<- back