Friday was a day of change in Demorest. Demorest Police Chief Robin Krockum retired and assistant chief Casey Chastain was promoted to succeed him.
Krockum tendered his retirement notice to the Demorest City Council last month, effective March 1. His retirement comes as he prepares to run for sheriff.
Longtime Sheriff Joey Terrell announced last year that he was not seeking reelection.
SEE RELATED: Krockum retires from Demorest PD; Chastain named new police chief
Accolades and a parting gift
Demorest city leaders held a private luncheon for Krockum on his last day. Approximately 50 people attended, including his family, city employees, and special guests.
Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness presented Krockum with a shadow box with badges and patches that demonstrated his many years of service to the city of Demorest.
Krockum was moved by the day’s events.
“I’m honored that so many people would come out today. I really care about them,“ he said.
Terrell was among the special guests invited to attend Krockum’s sendoff. He reminisced about how the two of them worked together in the sheriff’s office in 1995 under then– Sheriff Harrison Nix. Krockum later left the sheriff’s office for the Demorest Police Department.
Year later when Terrell became sheriff, Krockum went to work for him as Patrol Commander. Krockum left the sheriff’s office, again, when the opportunity arose for him to become Demorest police chief.
“I encouraged him to do that,” Terrell said, adding, “I tried many times to get him to come back.”
“I look forward to what the future holds for Robin and his family and for the Sheriff’s Office. He can take it to new heights I could never dream of,” the outgoing sheriff said.
City Manager Mark Musselwhite said the time “just flew by” between when Krockum announced he was retiring and his retirement day. He praised Krockum, calling him “a tremendous person, tremendous police officer, a tremendous person of integrity and character.” Musselwhite said, “I look forward to sharing him with the entire county.”
Krockum was hired as the Demorest Police Chief on January 13, 2016. He has nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience. On Monday, he will qualify to have his name placed on the ballot in his bid to succeed Terrell as Habersham County sheriff.
Passing the badge
As one era ends, a new era begins. Friday morning, Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness swore in Assistant Police Chief Casey Chastain to be the new Demorest Police Chief. A handful of people were on hand to witness the swearing-in at City Hall, including newly-retired Demorest Police Chief Robin Krockum.
After the swearing-in, Chastain said he was “excited, nervous” with the promotion. As the new chief, he explained that there isn’t much that he will have to change going forward.
“I walked into a really good spot, a very good set-up. There’s nothing really I have to change.”
Chastain will supervise seven full-time officers and four part-time officers.
As part of his new duties, Chastain will have to swear in each officer as they go on shift. The first person he swore in was James Minutello who succeeds him as assistant police chief.
Minutello shared his thoughts after his promotion and swearing-in ceremony.
“It’s an honor and a blessing. I’m kind of excited for the future. We are going to do the best we can for the city of Demorest, citizens, and visitors,” the new assistant police chief said.
The Demorest City Council will hold a formal pinning ceremony for Chastain and Minutello during its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 5.
