Gary B. Shepherd

Retired LaGrange Public Safety Director, Gary B. Shepherd, 74, passed away suddenly Sunday, May 30th.

He was born to the late Charlene Brown Shepherd and John Walton Shepherd in Mt. Pleasant, TN.

Gary was a thirty-five (35) year veteran of Law Enforcement, twenty (20) years with the City of Atlanta Police Department, starting as a Patrolman and retiring as a Captain on the force. Gary was the originator of the Atlanta SWAT Team – 1972. He retired from Atlanta PD to become the Chief of Police in LaGrange, Georgia from 1978 to 1991 at which time he became the Public Safety Director for both Police and the LaGrange Fire Department until he retired in 1993. Gary served as the Consultant for Shepherd Security Services (Phoenix, AZ), co-owned by sons Gabe and Barry Shepherd.

Gary's formal training and education included: Graduate of Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville 1970 (Class President 44th Session); Graduate of F.B.I. National Academy, Quantico, VA, 1973. Gary held a BA in Criminal Justice, LaGrange College, and MS in Public Administration, Columbus State University.

Gary held offices/honors which include: President of Georgia Police Chief Association, 1992, President of Peace Officer Standards and Training, 1992, thirteen (13) year member of Georgia POST Council, Georgia Police Chief of the Year 1989. Also, Gary was presented with the National Criminal Justice Association's prestigious O.W. Wilson award. He also had a distinguished military career joining the United States Air Force in 1955 and served 4 years before joining the United States Marine Corps where he was honorably discharged in May, 1971.

He is survived by his spouse, Pamela B. Shepherd, and their seven children and sixteen grandchildren: Daughters Vicki Mignonette Shepherd and her son, Joshua Coleman Washington – Lisa Camilla Roey and her daughter Jennifer Roey (Corey) Spivey – Sherri Dawn Shepherd and her three children: Misty Maria (Jamie) Addison, Angela Michelle Carr and Jeffery David Phillips - Sons: Gary B. Shepherd, Jr. his two sons Gabriel Joseph Shepherd and Nathaniel Walton Shepherd - Barry Steven Shepherd, wife Sara Griffith Shepherd, and their three children: Holden Blaine Shepherd, Alexandra Anne Shepherd, Peyton Jean Shepherd – Keenan Everett Knight, wife Elizabeth Colvin McDonald Knight and their three children: Kelsey Elizabeth Knight, Megan Pamela Knight, and Andrew Keenan Knight – Zachary Pearson Knight, wife Anna Holle Knight, and their three children: John Pearson Knight, Davis Anderson Knight, and Lila Marie Knight – Brother, John Michael Shepherd and Sister, Jeri Charlene (Michael) Victory. He was preceded in death by brothers Phillip Walton Shepherd and Charles Dennis Shepherd.

A Memorial Service will take place at the First Presbyterian Church, LaGrange, Georgia, at
11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2011, with Dr. Douglas T. DeCelle, Head of Staff, officiating.

Family will receive friends in the Meeting Hall of the Church following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636 www.shlagrange.com