Eight Decatur police officers with a combined 72 years service within the department were recently given promotions. Chief Mike Booker said it was only the third time in his nine years that he’d done a mass promotion of this type.

Three were promoted from sergeant to lieutenant: Jennifer Ross, Eric Jackson and Billy Woodruff. Five others were promoted from officer or investigator to sergeant: Dan Bellis, John Bender, Amy Hall, Phillip Nembheard and Kim Parks.

The officers were evaluated by an outside company, and promotions were determined by a written test and by a video interview where officers responded to hypothetical scenarios, Booker said.

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Braves first baseman Matt Olson (left) is greeted by Ronald Acuña Jr. after batting during the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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