Savannah-Chatham police department Chief Willie Lovett today officially promoted 22 sergeants and three lieutenants in a formal ceremony.
Several hundred fellow officers, family members and friends gathered at the Savannah Civic Center for the promotion ceremony. Police spokesman Julian Miller said some of the officers already are serving in their new positions and others are moving to their new assignments as the promotions take effect through the ranks.
Keynote speaker District Attorney Meg Daly Heap reminded the newly promoted officers that they have been recognized by their chief and command staff as leaders in the department with the ability to perform at higher levels and challenged them to fulfill the leadership roles.
Lovett told the officers and their family members that their jobs and their lives will change with the promotions and the additional responsibilities that accompany them but he was confident they would rise to the challenges.
Promoted to the rank of sergeant were:
Shinita Young
Brad Beddow
Kevin Elleby
Octavio Arango
Jeff Oliver
Shamonica Badie
Marcus Graves
Sean Carr
Tiffany Manuel
Aaron Washington
Tarik Wilson
Tim Lewis
Eric Henderson
Rodney Reynolds
Chris Talley
Stephen Eaton
Joe Lewis
William Sharpley
Maurice Sanders
Eric Dukarski
Sylvester Fann
Yujean Foster
Promoted to the rank of lieutenant were:
Daniel Flood
Gregory Ernst
Billy Cunningham