Chief Stoney Mathis and members of his command staff had jokes for the crowd gathered to bid the chief farewell after three memorable years of service and a dramatic decline of violent crime in Columbus. Chief Mathis said they were holding “a viewing” for those who wanted to stop by and say goodbye. He and his staff used the ceremony to heap praise, and address critics head on with humor.
Assistant Chief Lance Deaton said the Chief would often stop by his office with straight talk in good times and bad. When Deaton was recently photographed during a television interview with a red hat on his desk often worn by President Trump supporters the chief asked Deaton what exactly he was thinking but later thanked him “for taking the heat off me” for a little while.
Chief Mathis used the occasion to make a public recommendation that Assistant Chief Lance Deaton replace him at the helm of the police department.
Assistant Chief Roderick Graham said Chief Mathis could make “polished” remarks sometimes, other times not so much. Graham has been with the police department for 37 years and described the changes at the department as “a great transformation” and now “we have seen the results of a new way of doing policing and managing in the 21st century.”
Columbus Fire Chief Sal Scarpa said what Chief Mathis has been able to accomplish in the community “can’t be measured, can’t be quantified.” Former police officer and city councilor Byron Hickey took the podium to personally thank the police chief for his success. “And what I say to all your critics out there, you need to be saying thank you as well.”
Sergeant Katina Williams, a 27-year veteran of the police department, said the best thing Chief Mathis ever did was create the community policing unit which she currently leads. Williams also said “we hired a lot of officers under his watch, crime is down under his watch, morale is up under his watch. Everything he’s done here at CPD has been good for our city.” She also defended his straightforward approach. “He’s not polished in his speaking. He didn’t always say things what people want him to, but he means well.”
Chief Mathis credited the current staff for the department’s recent success. “Everything that we’ve accomplished in this police department is because of the command staff I have right now and the hard-working men and women not only that wears the badge but the civilians in the building.” Mathis told them, “I do believe you guys have made me a better person.”
His last official day as chief is December 31, 2026. Chief Mathis said he plans on using some time to decompress and spend time with his wife and his grandchildren, 2-year-old triplets.
Exclusive reports on Chief Stoney Mathis can be viewed here:
Exclusive: Police Chief Stoney Mathis issues blunt response to controversy – Now Georgia
Chief Stoney Mathis’ tenure defined by crime reduction, officer controversy – Now Georgia
Crime plummets under Police Chief Stoney Mathis – Now Georgia
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