Suffolk News-Herald

There is an old axiom: &uot;You can’t keep a good man down.&uot;

That’s certainly the case with retired Maj. Richard H. Hurd, who left the Suffolk Police Department on Dec. 31, 2003, after more than 30 years of service.

On Tuesday, just three months after his retirement, Hurd became Franklin’s new interim police chief. He replaced former Chief Steve Wills, who only spent a couple of years heading up that city’s department.

At this point, the position will only last until July, he said.

Hurd said he was enjoying retirement, spending more time with his wife, Sandra, and son, Sean, when he began hearing his name being circulated for the opening.

While attending a recent FBI National Academy cookout, Hurd said several people asked if he had had calls from Franklin.

Franklin City Manager Bucky Taylor approached Hurd at the suggestion of local law enforcement officials, including Southampton County Sheriff Vernie W. Francis Jr. and Suffolk’s retired Police Chief Gilbert F. Jackson.

&uot;Chief Jackson asked me if I would be interested and I told him I hadn’t gotten a call yet,&uot; said Hurd. &uot;But, I explained that I would do it part time, as a contractual agreement, so it wouldn’t mess up my retirement.&uot;

Franklin’s Capt. Bruce Edwards said he is looking forward to working with Hurd.

&uot;His desk was all cleaned up and ready for his first day,&uot; Edwards said Wednesday. &uot;I’ve known him several years and we’ve always had a good relationship. I feel his experience will be good for the department.&uot;

His former colleagues in Suffolk applauded Franklin’s decision.

Sheriff Raleigh H. Isaacs, who worked with Hurd for years, said officials will find him to be a knowledgeable, progressive police manager.

&uot;It has been my pleasure to know and work with Maj. Richard Hurd for many years,&uot; Isaacs said.

&uot;I was disappointed to see him retire from the Suffolk Police Department because of the loss of his expertise.

&uot;I am however, delighted that he has been chosen as the interim chief of police for Franklin. He has excellent leadership abilities, which will become very clear in short term.&uot;

A.P. Bremer, special investigator for the office of Suffolk’s Commonwealth’s attorney, agreed.

&uot;Chief Hurd is a good man… his character and veracity is impeccable and he will serve the citizens of Franklin every bit as well as he did the people of Suffolk,&uot; said Bremer. &uot;He would make an excellent choice for their permanent police chief for both the people and those involved in law enforcement.

&uot;He’s got a good group of people to work with in the department and city government.&uot;

Hurd served in just about every capacity within the Suffolk Police Department, including as field training officer, detective sergeant and administrative captain. He ended his career in Suffolk as deputy police chief.