Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, new LaGrange fire chief Willie Bradfield and police chief Garrett Fiveash were officially sworn in. Bradfield’s first day is Thursday and Fiveash starts Monday.

We welcome Fiveash to LaGrange and thank Bradfield for the work he’s already done in this community and will continue to do as chief. 

Fiveash brings 28 years of law enforcement experience with him to LaGrange. He worked around the state for 27 years with the Georgia State Patrol.  

He plans to move from Macon to LaGrange with his wife and daughter as soon as possible.  

Bradfield has served with the LaGrange Fire Department since 1999, working his way up from firefighter in 1999 to deputy chief in 2013.  

Bradfield was one of three deputy chiefs who have cooperatively run the fire department since the abrupt departure of former Fire Chief John Brant. 

Over his career, Bradfield has earned Georgia Fire Chief Certification, Fire Department Administration Training and Fire Department Executive Training.

Both are clearly qualified for their new roles and take over during a time of a lot of change in LaGrange. 

The LaGrange Police Department has spent years building a reputation as one of the best in the state, often featured nationally for its work. 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for public perception to change, and right now publicly, there’s a lot of concern after multiple investigations into officer behavior with the police department. 

Bradfield also takes over after the sudden departure of Brant following misconduct allegations, resulting in a lot of questions from the public.

We wish both men good luck as they start their new positions. We look forward to working with both of them.