David Roddy will be sworn in today as the next chief of the Chattanooga Police Department.
It has to be an exciting day, heck, it may be even a stressful-bordering-on-fearful day.
You're the A1, Top Law Dog of one of America's most energetic and transformative cities.
And one of the biggest problems facing our vibrant city, arguably, is crime.
Welcome to Day One, Chief Roddy.
Jay Greeson"Pride. Enthusiasm. Inspiration. A depth of caring that we get to serve."
Those were the sentiments of former Chief Fred Fletcher, who talked with me as he traveled from Colorado to Chattanooga on Wednesday to be here for Roddy's formal ceremony this morning.
"I'm feeling a lot of the same feelings right now as I did [when I was sworn in]," Fletcher said, "because I am as excited for David Roddy as I was for myself."
If it seems Fletcher is high on Roddy, the Tyner Academy and MTSU graduate who has been with the Chattanooga department for more than 20 years, well, he is.
"He's not only the best person for [this job in] Chattanooga, he's one of the leading people in leadership in law enforcement in the country," Fletcher said.
In our current reality, there are a lot of reasons to be skeptical about our
government.
More times than not, there are a lot of reasons to be outraged by our government.
But this morning in Chattanooga, our leaders got it right.
Tapping Roddy for the chief position is easily the best decision Andy Berke has made in his time as mayor.
Roddy was among a large bunch that looked to fill the snow-ski-sized shoes Fletcher left when he retired earlier this year.
Simply put, Roddy has worked his way to the top, starting as a patrolman and making stops at almost all levels and positions in our city's police department.
He was, from this perspective, the clear choice and, despite some ridiculous and insulting questions about a tattoo, the selection process was efficient and effective.
His job will not be easy.
But if the words of his former boss are any indication, the answers to future issues will be eased by the new leadership.
In fact, Fletcher's biggest concern for Chief David Roddy is that he does not have a Deputy Chief David Roddy on whom to lean.
"I hope he has someone to support him and question and serve him like he did for me," Fletcher said of Roddy. "I've said it before, David is the best leader I've known, and I've not known a better person."
It's high praise for sure, and there's little doubt why Fletcher made the 2,000-mile trip to see his former chief of staff sworn in today.
Despite controversies and struggles, it's a job Fletcher said over and over was worth the effort, both his and wife Paige's.
And our former chief thinks - scratch that, knows - our new chief is up for the task.
"I will tell you this," Fletcher said, "I believe that David Roddy is a better leader and chief than I ever was."
Well, Fred, if that's the case, then we are truly blessed.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343.