An official swearing-in ceremony was held Wednesday for Selma Police Chief William “Billy” Thomas. Dozens of people turned out for the event at the Jernigan Building on East Anderson Street in Selma.
On October 10th, Selma Town Manager Elton Daniels selected Thomas as the new police chief replacing Richard Cooper who retired in August.
Thomas took his oath from Clerk of Court Michelle Ball while his wife, Angela, held the Bible. Numerous Selma policemen and officers from other departments were on hand for the ceremony.
Chief Thomas has been with the Selma Police Department just over 16 years. He started as a dispatcher then worked his way up the ranks of the patrol division. For the last 4 years he had been a Captain. Thomas has received numerous awards and accolades including Officer of the Year in 2010 and the Distinguished Serve Award in 2017.
“I am very humbled that they thought enough of me to consider me for the position,” Chief Thomas told WTSB News on Oct. 10th. “You are only as good as the people that surround you including town staff, elected officials and the town administration. I look forward to serving my community.”
Asked if he planned to make any changes as the new Selma police chief, Thomas replied, “I’ve learned a lot through the years. I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel.”
Thomas is a native of Crisfield, Maryland. He and his wife have one daughter, Erica, 22. They family lives in the Selma city limits.
Photos courtesy JoCoFire.com
