Former Lavonia Police Chief Remembered

Funeral services are set for today for former Lavonia Police Chief Jimmy Bennett.

Bennett passed away Saturday after a long illness and one former co-worker says he will be missed.

Lavonia Mayor Ralph Owens served with Bennett when he was in the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and as a Lavonia Police officer.

Owens said Bennett was known in the county for his kindness.

“I’ve known Jimmy for 35 years,” Owens said. “Jimmy was a good fella. He was always wanting to help people and he did a good job here with what he had to work with.”

During more than thirty years of service in law enforcement, he served as Chief of Police for the City of Canon, Chief Deputy for former Franklin County Sheriff Jimmie Andrews, and served for 23 years as the Lavonia Police Chief.
Current Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle praised Bennett Monday for laying the groundwork for today’s department.

“On behalf of The Lavonia Police Department, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to the family of Retired Lavonia Police Chief Jimmy Bennett, Carlisle said. “Jimmy laid the foundation for what is now the award winning, State Certified Law Enforcement Agency that is recognized State wide. Without Jimmy’s leadership and his success as Lavonia’s Chief of Police, it would have been very difficult to attain the success that we now enjoy.”

Bennett was member of the Georgia Chiefs Association, and the Tri-State Law Enforcement Association.

Funeral services will be Tuesday morning at 11am from the B D Ginn Memorial Chapel of Ginn Funeral Home, with Rev. Stacey Lynch and Chad Bennett officiating.

Interment will be in the Lavonia City Cemetery.

Jimmy Bennett was 74.