With Your Help, the Henry County Police Department Wants to Recreate the Past

The current Henry County Police Department was formed in 1991 as a response to explosive population growth that only recently abated with the economic downshift of the past few years. Although growth has slowed, interest in the origins of policing in the county have increased to such a level that the police department has decided to set out on a journey of self-discovery. With the help of citizens, the Henry County Police Department wants to recreate the past.

Not to be confused with the Henry County Sheriff, who has done an excellent job of researching and documenting the history of that elected office in Henry County (Click here), the Henry County Police Department is looking for help in preparing a timeline of its history prior to 1991. Early badges and patches from retired officers and families have surfaced that hint at an existence in the 1960s and prior to mid-century. Artifacts and anecdotal evidence suggest that the county police department may have existed in some embodiment as early as the 1940s or before. However, information is sparse and research through the county’s own documents is limited to 1991 and later.

The Henry County Police Department is requesting the assistance of local residents, many of whom have lived here for a lifetime, who have personal ties to, or relics from, a bygone era that could find a showcase in this endeavor. Photographs, agency public information releases, print newspaper articles, names, dates and photos of the chiefs of Police, badges, patches, uniforms, training certificates, commendations and the like, earned by early department members are all being sought by the Department. The goal is to formulate a timeline of official police enforcement in Henry County, outside of the Sheriff and municipal agencies.

In addition to tangible records, the Department seeks personal or civic stories prior to 1991 involving any command staff, patrolmen, detectives, and other personnel, precincts, incidents, cases, trials, promotions, liaisons, meetings, and contracts, and any activities of the many who served our county by wearing the uniform of the Henry County Police Department under that name, or any other. Coupled with the artifacts of the era(s), these oral histories can help illustrate a compelling cross-section of the historical and social fabric of Henry County through the guise of the Henry County Police Department.

If you are able to assist the Department in this project and/or would like more information, please contact either Major Mark Amerman at mamerman@co.henry.ga.us or (770) 288-8277 or Researcher Kimberly Monast at kmonast@co.henry.ga.us or (770) 288-8133. Please DO NOT send unsolicited tangible materials without contacting us so that we may protect and be accountable stewards of your property.

	Follow Henry County Goverment on Twitter.
	Subscribe to Henry County Government RSS feeds.