Olive Branch Police Chief Gammage announces retirement date

Long-time Olive Branch Police Chief Don Gammage Friday morning announced that he would retire from the position on June 30. 

Gammage has been in law enforcement for 37 years and has been with the Olive Branch department since 19992. 

Former Mayor Sam Rikard named him Police Chief in 2009, and continued in the position in the administrations of Scott Phillips and since the 2021 election of Ken Adams as mayor.  

In the announcement by the city announcing Gammage’s impending retirement, “Mayor Ken Adams and the Board of Aldermen recognize Chief Gammage’s many accomplishments and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. Together with all of those who have worked alongside him, we wish Chief Gammage and his family the very best in this new season of their lives.” 

Adams said he will be searching both internally and externally for a replacement as police chief.  However, during his announcement Friday morning, Gammage said he would be recommending the city name Deputy Chief Bill Cox as his replacement.

“Although it is up to Mayor Adams and the Board of Aldermen to make the selection, they don’t have to look very far,” Gammage said. “Bill has over 20 years experience and previously served as the Police Chief in Philadelphia, Mississippi, prior to returning to Olive Branch in 2013. Deputy Chief Cox has my complete support.”

The complete release is found here: