APD Chief George Turner
There is nothing like being in the room with law enforcement officers to remind you what service is all about. Friday, the Georgia Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) held its annual awards banquet. I was the guest of Attorney Rory Starkey.
Having been a police lawyer for many years, it was somewhat like a reunion for me. Former Mayors Andrew Young and Shirley Franklin, both of whom I served while in the Atlanta Law Department (Mayor Young while Mayor and Mayor Franklin while CEO), inspired the crowd with their words about public service. Atlanta Police Department Chief George Turner was on hand to welcome his colleagues from around the state.
As lawyers and citizens, we tend to focus on the small number of encounters with law enforcement officers that go wrong. We forget to be grateful for public servants who are willing to stand between us and chaos for very little money. I know first hand how hard law enforcement can be. I was honored to be in that room.
Overtis Hicks Brantley 