Greg Atwell retires as Munfordville Police Chief

Mary Beth Sallee

Managing Editor

Hart Co. News Herald

 

After 35 years of serving his community in law enforcement, Munfordville Police Chief Greg Atwell is retiring, effective July 31, 2024.

The journey of his over three decades-long career began in December of 1989 when Atwell was sworn in as Constable of District 3.

“The community had a need for it, and I felt like it was something that needed to be done,” Atwell said.

In June of 1992 while serving as constable, Atwell also worked part-time with the Munfordville Police Department (MPD). After his first term as constable, he ran for reelection and won. However, in 1993, Atwell was then offered a full-time position at the MPD. He accepted and resigned as constable.

“At that point, I was enrolled in the academy in Richmond at the Department of Criminal Justice training,” Atwell said. “…I got a call from the mayor (Charlie Hayes at the time) while I was in basic training. He said, ‘I need a chief, and you’re it.’ That was probably in the fall of ‘93, and then I graduated to Basic Training Academy in February of ‘94.”

Becoming the Chief of Police in the midst of completing training was what Atwell described as “trial and error.” What was first an unexpected promotion transformed into a lifelong career of service.

“Helping people and being there for them in their time of need has been one of the best parts of being Chief,” Atwell said.

But with great service also comes great sacrifice – something that his family, Atwell said, has known quite well during his career in law enforcement.

“People just don’t realize how important family is, because your family, they suffer a lot, too. There’s been kids’ events, ball games, which I have had to miss,” Atwell said. “Family events that I’ve had to miss throughout the years, and it’s hard on a family. With every police officer, there’s a lot of time they miss out on with their family due to their career choice. Family support is something that each officer has to have if they’re going to be able to make a career of this.”

And it is Atwell’s family – his wife Robin, their two children, and 5 grandchildren, as well as his father – who continues to be an encouragement to Atwell.

“He is a very dedicated policeman, a wonderful husband and father and grandfather,” Robin shared. “People have always said how honest and fair he has been. I am sure he will miss serving the people, but our family looks forward to more time with him.”

“Officers like dad are one-in-a-million. No one can compare to him, though I suppose I am partial in that regard,” said Atwell’s daughter, Courtney Hutchins. “I can remember helping Dad ‘decorate’ his uniform when I was a small child and then staring up at him, feeling like I was the most special little girl in the world because my dad was a superhero. Still, as a grown adult, the logical part of my brain knows that my dad is mortal, but the little girl inside of me does not accept that and likely never will. In my mind, he always has been and always will be made of steel. Even as the years continue to pass at lightning speed, he will keep saving the world around me forever. Being his daughter always meant not having to worry about my safety when I went to sleep at night or when I went anywhere with him. My entire world could not have been in better hands. To say I am proud of him is the understatement of the year.”

Atwell has also found support from his fellow officers through the years, creating bonds and friendships along the way.

“Overall, I’ve had a lot of good officers that have come through here at the Munfordville Police Department,” Atwell said. “Some moved on to bigger and better things, which that’s understandable, but it has been an experience that I wouldn’t take nothing for.”

One of those fellow officers is Ryan Riggs, who Chief Atwell is passing the torch to upon his retirement next week.

“Ryan is an individual that we hired here and sent to basic training. I’ve worked with him for a long time,” Atwell said. “I watched him grow throughout his career, and he has become an outstanding police officer. I feel that he is very, very capable of handling the job…I’m not saying he will not make mistakes, because we all make mistakes, but he’s very capable, and I feel very confident in him.”

Riggs shared that Atwell has been more than just a leader of the police department. He has been a mentor and a friend.

“I personally have worked with Chief Atwell since August of 2013,” Riggs said. “Chief Atwell has touched a lot of lives and is well known throughout the community. He has been responsible for starting a multitude of careers for young individuals, such as myself, since 1993.”

“As I prepare to step into this roll, I am acutely aware of the enormous shoes I have to fill,” Riggs continued. “Chief Atwell’s decision to choose me as his successor is both an honor and responsibility that I do not take lightly. His mentorship has been invaluable, and his belief in my capabilities gives me the strength and confidence to lead on in his stead. Thank you for everything, Chief, from everyone at the Munfordville City Police Department. We wish you a fulfilling and joyful retirement.”

As Atwell looks back over his past 35 years of service to the community of Munfordville and the citizens of Hart County, he bids farewell with appreciation and gratitude.

“I have been lucky. People in this community have accepted me, and they’ve been good to me and my family,” Atwell said. “I’ve created a lot of friendships, not only here in this town but in this county, that I would not have had the opportunity to create. I’ve met people I would not have had the opportunity to have met. I guess that’s the biggest reward.”

“It’s been a great honor to be able to be here, especially this long,” he added. “…Now the time’s come in my life that I need to spend more quality time with my family because I’ve missed out on a lot. But it’s like I said – it’s been an honor.”

The Hart County News-Herald would like to thank Chief Greg Atwell for selflessly serving our community for over 30 years. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement.

• “Officers like dad are one-in-a-million. No one can compare to him, though I suppose I am partial in that regard. I can remember helping Dad ‘decorate’ his uniform when I was a small child and then staring up at him, feeling like I was the most special little girl in the world because my dad was a superhero. Still, as a grown adult, the logical part of my brain knows that my dad is mortal, but the little girl inside of me does not accept that and likely never will. In my mind, he always has been and always will be made of steel. Even as the years continue to pass at lightning speed, he will keep saving the world around me forever. Being his daughter always meant not having to worry about my safety when I went to sleep at night or when I went anywhere with him. My entire world could not have been in better hands. To say I am proud of him is the understatement of the year.” Courtney Hutchins, Chief Atwell’s Daughter