Editor's note: This story was updated to include response from the City of Walthourville that was requested by the Courier. The response came in too late to make the July 3, print edition of the Courier.

UPDATE July 2, 5:08 p.m.

Walthourville Interim Police Chief, Jerald Burgess has announced today that he has handed in his resignation which will be effective July 8. That is the same day that, according to Burgess, the City's new Police Chief, Jerry Blash is slated to take over.  

Blash, of Waynesboro, was hired to take over the reins of the Walthourville police department from Burgess who was asked to stay on during a problematic and tumultuous period in the department in 2018.

"Jerry Blash has over 18 years of law enforcement experience, with more than 11 of those years in leadership and management," City Clerk Melissa Jones said. "He has worked with large and small communities and understands that developing a partnership with his colleagues and community is essential to continue to move the city forward. In a previous position, he was an advocate for groups that traditionally have flown under the radar (youth and elderly) of traditional law enforcement. This type of forward thinking is what the City of Walthourville needs."

Burgess has served as interim police chief since former Chief Bernie Quarterman was relieved of his duties in January 2018 after several back-and-forth accusations of impropriety between him, City Mayor Daisy Pray and her staff.

"Former Interim Chief Burgess has been with the Walthourville Police Department for five years," Jones said. "Since January 2018, he has served as the Interim Chief. We wish Burgess the best of luck as he begins a new chapter in his life."