In a short ceremony Thursday morning, Bill Kirkendall was officially sworn in as Hinesville’s Chief of Police by Mayor Allen Brown in front of local city officials, friends, family and fellow first responders.

“We have a great family, and a great department,” Brown said. “So this worked out great.”

Kirkendall stood and took his oath to serve as chief. Then Chief Kirkendall’s wife of 34 years, Connie Kirkendall, stepped forward to pin the badge on her husband’s chest.

“I am truly honored and humbled to have been chosen to serve Hinesville in this capacity,” Kirkendall said. “I want to thank the mayor, council and City Manager Kenneth Howard for their confidence in me, as well as my family for supporting me through this process and my entire career.”

Kirkendall has served with the Hinesville PD for 30 years, and said he considers himself lucky to have worked with some of the best law enforcement professionals, and have the chance to grow his professional career.

“I promise to do the best job I can while putting the police department and the residents of the city of Hinesville at the forefront of all my decisions,” Kirkendall said.

The ceremony, run by master of ceremonies Lt. Tracey Howard of HPD, also included several speakers: Howard, HPD Cpt. Chris Reid and HPD Cpt. Lloyd Slater. Hinesville.

Kirkendall started with the city’s police department as a dispatcher in 1984. After serving the department for two years, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a law enforcement specialist until his return to the department in 1990. Following mandate training, he held numerous positions, including assistant chief and interim chief of police following former Chief George Stagmeier’s retirement. He has a B.S. and A.A.S. in criminal justice.

Chief Kirkendall and his wife, Connie, live in Hinesville. They have three children: Jonathon, Brandon and Morgan. Kirkendall is a member of Trinity Baptist Church.