Trussville police chief announces retirement

Trussville Police Chief Jeff Bridges being sworn into office last year. Photo courtesy of the Trussville Tribune.

Trussville Police Chief Jeff Bridges will retire at the beginning of July, the Trussville Tribune reports.

Bridges first joined the department after high school as a dispatcher. He was named captain in 2014, and was sworn in as chief at a meeting of the Trussville City Council on Oct. 10 in 2017. Captain Eric Rush will fill in until a permanent replacement is found.

“I recommended Eric to the mayor, and I know he’ll do a good job,” Bridges said.

Bridges’ retirement will be effective on July 1. He informed Mayor Buddy Choat of his decision last week.

Bridges said he is moving his family to Pickens County, a dream he says he and his wife have had for a long time.

“We bought property in Carrollton four or five years ago for a hunting camp,” Bridges said. “We’ve been building a house, and we’re finally getting to do what we’ve always wanted to do. We didn’t want to move the kids in the middle of the school year, so this summer was the best time to make the move.”

The chief said he’s enjoyed his tenure as chief and feels the department is on solid footing.

“I love Trussville and I’ve loved my time working here,” Bridges said. “These are great people and it’s a good place to be. There were some things that I wanted to do as chief and we’ve been able to accomplish all of that and move the department forward. I feel good about where the department is right now.”

Bridges said the right people are in place to continue the progress made with the police department.