After 10½ years as Avondale Estates police chief and 40 years in law enforcement, Gary Broden announced he’s retiring as of June 17.
Broden took over the force of 12 to 13 officers in December 2005, after 26 years in Cartersville, the last 5½ as chief.
“We’re a small agency,” Broden said, “but we’re very progressive, not only in the technology we use, but in our relationship to the community. I always say, if you’re going to be a small dog running with the big dogs, then you better have a big dog’s heart.”
Broden said he’s especially proud of resident/police collaborations like the Neighborhood Watch Program, the Citizens’ Police Academy and the Citizens’ on Patrol Program.
A Minneapolis native Broden, 65, joined the Army in 1968. After a 1969-70 tour of Vietnam he remained in the Army, eventually serving that service’s military police from 1974-78 in Fort Carson, Colorado.
Broden and his wife, July, plan to remain in their Stockbridge home. He said it’s “probable” he’ll be involved in selecting his replacement but doesn’t know to what extent.
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