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Kalamazoo says goodbye to Chief Hadley

Posted at 11:31 PM, Nov 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-16 23:31:34-05

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- He may be moving on, but Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley won't be forgotten in the community.

After more than nine years on the job with KDPS, Hadley is moving to Georgia to  become chief of Chatham County Police.

Dozens of residents showed up Thursday night for a ceremony at the Fetzer Center at Western Michigan University.

“I’m really overwhelmed emotionally,” Hadley said. “Doing good work and good service to the community, that’s probably what I’m most proud of.”​

The public remembered how Chief Hadley displayed strength under pressure during several major events that happened under his watch, including the mass shooting rampage that left six people dead and two others hurt in 2016 and the2011 death of KDPS Officer Eric Zapata, who was gunned down in the line of duty.

And Hadley says he has all the confidence that his replacement, Deputy Chief Karianne Thomas, will have great success as the new leader in the department.

And as he embarks on this new opportunity in his life, Hadley said he is grateful for the time he was allowed to serve as chief of Kalamazoo Public Safety.

Hadley's last day will be November 22.