Madison will not complete his final 14 days in office

By Vershal Hogan (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Tuesday, June 17, 2008

FERRIDAY — The Town of Ferriday has a new chief of police — sort of.

Ferriday Police Chief Richard Madison tendered his resignation through a letter to Mayor Gene Allen Monday, and the resignation is effective today.

Allen said the resignation was unexpected, but that he would accept it.

“I don’t know why you would quit with only 14 days left on the job,” Allen said.

Starting today, Assistant Chief Margaret Lawrence will take over the chief’s duties for the duration of Madison’s term, which will end June 30.

Lawrence said it took her by surprise, but she said she felt good about taking the reigns.

“I didn’t know (Madison) was going to resign early or anything, but it just gave me an opportunity to use what I have trained for and learned through the years.”

Madison worked for the Ferriday Police Department under previous town administrations, and served as an investigator beginning in July 2004.

He resigned that position in January 2006, but was appointed police chief in March of that year after then-chief Robert Davis — Madison’s half-brother — resigned.

Lawrence was promoted to assistant chief at the time of Madison’s appointment.

Madison also served as grant writer for the town, and during his time the police department received a number of new cars through grant funding.

On July 1, when mayor-elect Glen McGlothin takes office, the new police chief he appoints will also take the helm at the police department.

The resignation could make the transition between chiefs a little harder, McGlothin said.

“You need a little continuity,” he said. “In my mind when a man takes a public job he stays with it until it’s over. I was defeated twice, and both of my police chiefs at that time stayed with it until the bitter end.”

Three candidates had been selected from a pool of 10 applicants for the chief position, but one of those three has since said he does not want to be considered, McGlothin said.

The appointment should be made by mid-week once questions about salary are cleared up, McGlothin said.

Madison could not be reached for comment.