Louisa Police Chief announces retirement for April 1

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Editor

The Louisa Chief of Police Greg Fugitt has announced that he is retiring April 1, of this year.

Fugitt has had a remarkable career in public service, beginning at the young age of 15 in 1980, when he volunteered as a firefighter with the Lowmansville Fire Department under his uncle, Fire Chief Jim Bradley. This early commitment to community safety laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong dedication to emergency response and law enforcement.

In 1984, Greg expanded his service by joining the Louisa Fire Department, before transitioning into emergency medical services in 1985, working for his uncle Eddie Bill Bradley as a First Responder with the Johnson County Ambulance service.

Shortly after he was hired as a 911 Dispatcher for the City of Louisa, under the direction of Chief Bill Roberts.

Starting a family caused him to seek better employment when, in 1987, he joined Brown Foodservice, where he worked diligently until 2000.

Greg took his first step into law enforcement in 1996 as a part-time Special Deputy for the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Bobby Workman. His duties included providing law enforcement for school games, conducting lake patrols, and serving legal papers. His commitment and performance in this role led to a full-time position as a Deputy Sheriff in 1998, working both as a delivery driver for Browns during the weekday and a deputy sheriff nights and weekends.

After leaving Browns, his professional development in law enforcement continued with his graduation from the Department of Criminal Justice Training Academy in July of 2000. There his skills earned him the 110% award in defense tactics & physical fitness (now known as the “Fit for Duty” award).

Following his graduation, he was promptly promoted to the rank of Sergeant where he led the department in DUI enforcement, winning him the “Governors Award” for Impaired Driving Enforcement multiple times.

In 2002, Greg was hired by Mayor Mike Sullivan to the Louisa Police Department as a Patrolman, further cementing his role in ensuring the safety of the community. Despite the demanding nature of police work, he continued his service in emergency medical response by working as an EMT for Life Ambulance Service on his days off from 2006 to 2008.

His leadership and dedication did not go unnoticed, and in 2008, Greg was once again promoted.

“As I am preparing to retire after more than twenty-nine years of law enforcement, and as your police chief for the past fourteen, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that has brought me to this moment. It is with a heart full of gratitude that I submit this letter of notice of retirement, effective April 1, 2025.”

“I would like to thank my family, I cannot express how much your support and patience have meant to me. You have been my rock through long hours, sleepless nights, and countless sacrifices. Thank you for understanding the demands of my call and the sacrifices that came with it. You’ve endured missed holidays, late-night calls, and the worry that comes with having a spouse/dad in law enforcement, yet you’ve always been my biggest supporters,” said Chief Fugitt.

“I owe a debt of gratitude to every individual I’ve served over the years. To my fellow first responders, officers, dispatchers, and EMTs, thank you for your dedication, camaraderie, and shared commitment to serving others. A special thank you to the late Chief of Police, Garrett Roberts, as well as former Chiefs, Tim Ellis, Phil Claxon, Bill Roberts and Sheriff Bobby Workman. Each of you has been a mentor and role model to me. The wealth of knowledge and experience you shared, along with the integrity you exemplified, shaped me into the leader I strived to be. Your legacies have left a permanent imprint on this department and my life.

Serving as Chief of Police for the City of Louisa has been the greatest honor of my life. We faced challenges, celebrated victories, and worked to make our community safer and stronger. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I leave this role knowing the department is in capable hands.

As I close this chapter, I do so with full gratitude. Thank you to the citizens of Louisa for trusting me to serve and protect you.”

Mayor Harold Slone said Sgt. Steve Wilburn will be the Interim Chief of Police until the city council can vote on Tuesday, April 8, on the replacement of Fugitt.