Gainesville trooper among those providing inauguration security

ATLANTA - Four state troopers from our area - including one the Gainesville post - served in the security detail for the presidential inauguration.

J.W. Andrews of Gainesville, P.C. Holloway of Cumming, R.K. Evans of Toccoa, and K.R. Johnson of Blue Ridge were among 54 members of the Georgia State Patrol who made the trip.

During their duty assignments, the troopers worked in partnership with the
uniformed division of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police
Department to provide security along the parade route and also with crowd
control.

The Metropolitan Police Department is the primary law enforcement
agency responsible for ensuring the safe and uneventful progression of the
Inaugural Parade and with assisting the U.S. Secret Service with security
at the hotels hosting the Inaugural Balls. GSP personnel supplemented the
uniformed presence during the Inauguration.

"This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of the troopers chosen
to participate," according to Col. Bill Hitchens, Commander of the
Georgia State Patrol.

Col. Hitchens said planning for the security assignment began in
November when the Georgia State Patrol was requested to assist with
Inaugural security by Metro Police.

One trooper from each of the State
Patrol's 48 field posts was selected for the security assignment as well
as one trooper each from the Aviation Unit, Safety Education, Criminal
Interdiction Unit and the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team
(SCRT).

All expenses - including travel, meals and lodging - are being
reimbursed to the Department by Metropolitan Police.