The Chickamauga Police Department is preparing for a leadership transition after Police Chief Ronald “Bugs” Roach announced his retirement during last week’s Chickamauga City Council meeting.
Roach’s retirement will become effective Dec. 31, 2026, bringing to a close more than a decade of leadership at the department. Roach has served as Chickamauga’s police chief since 2014.
The City of Chickamauga thanked Roach for his years of service to the community and wished him well in retirement.
Also during last week’s City Council meeting, Mayor Evitte Parrish, with confirmation from the council, appointed Lt. Josh Garrison as assistant chief of the Chickamauga Police Department.
Garrison will serve as assistant chief through the remainder of the year before officially assuming the office of police chief on Jan. 1, 2027.
City officials congratulated Garrison on his appointment and said they look forward to his leadership of the department.
The transition will bring Roach’s more than 12-year tenure as police chief to a close while placing Garrison at the helm of the department beginning with the new year.
