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Chickamauga Police Chief Jerry Parrish has resigned. Mayor Ray Crowder said Parrish turned in his letter of resignation a week ago.

“This was totally unexpected and I hate to see Jerry go,” City Manager John Culpepper said Tuesday.

His resignation was effective immediately. Parrish’s letter cites “a prognosis of limited mobility” as the reason for his resignation.

In early May Parrish had an accident in which he sustained a compound fracture to his leg. He underwent surgery. Culpepper said Parrish will undergo additional surgery.

Parrish overturned a golf cart on a closed street in downtown Chickamauga while he was helping set up for the city’s Down Home Days festival. Parrish admitted to drinking “a couple of beers” before the accident. He was suspended and sought alcohol abuse treatment.

Culpepper said Parrish’s decision to resign was not the result of any pressure from city officials responding to his use of alcohol before the accident. “We have worked through all the problems that resulted from this charge,” Culpepper said. “Everything was fine.”

Parrish had served as police chief for Chickamauga since February 1998.

Lt. Michael Haney has been serving as interim chief since the accident. Mayor Ray Crowder said Haney will continue as acting chief. He said city officials are “not in any hurry” to replace Haney as acting chief. Discussion for naming a new chief will begin at the next city council meeting in September.

Police commissioner Randal Dalton said that the process will take some time to determine. He further added Lt. Haney is serving the city well and that Haney would definitely be on the short list for those considered as a permanent replacement for Parrish.

“Details on the process have not yet been determine but will be released as soon as they are available,” Mayor Crowder said.

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