The late Susie Jackson now will be known was Hinesville Police Capt. Susie Jackson.

Jackson, who died June 30, was posthumously promoted to captain Thursday by Hinesville City Council members and HPD Chief Tracey Howard.

“She’s one of the reasons I’m here today,” Chief Howard told council members.

Jackson, who retired in 2017, spent 32 years on the force. She was one of Howard’s training officers when he joined the department.

“She kept me in line,” he said. “She’s holding me accountable for anything I do up there now.”

Jackson ended her career as a detective lieutenant, and she was one of the first crime scene technicians with the HPD. Howard credited Jackson building many of the systems upon which the department operates on today.

Howard called Jackson “a crime fighter, a friend, a sister and a mother,” the latter because of her habit or nurturing young officers.

“Susie never cared if she shined in the forefront,” he said. “She cared if the mission was accomplished. Susie never quit being a Hinesville police officer.”

Jackson belongs with other HPD leaders who went to “that beyond mark, the ones we hold to be the forefathers and sisters of the department,” such as Maj. Thomas Cribbs, Chief Harlon Deloach, Chief George Stagmeier, Chief Bill Kirkendall and Chief Bobby Ryon, Howard said.

“Her years of faithful service will never be forgotten,” Howard said.