The City of Liberty said its official good-byes to outgoing Police Chief Billy Tidwell at a reception held late Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 29, at the Liberty Center.

Tidwell has accepted an offer from the City of Tomball to lead its police department and will finish his duties in Liberty on Friday, Oct. 31.

The chief has served Liberty for 25 years altogether, beginning his police career in 1981 as a patrol officer. He advanced to investigator, assistant police chief, and has twice served as chief of the department. Tidwell retired from the Liberty Police Department in 2002, but returned as chief in 2009.

He also once worked a six-month stint as the towns interim city manager.

A strong crowd of well-wishers turned out for the reception, including members of the Dayton Police Department, the Liberty County Sheriffs Office, and the District Attorneys Office, along with members of other law enforcement agencies, city and county government offices, and a number of local residents.

City Manager Gary Broz presented the chief with a plaque and a few kind words.

Liberty Mayor Carl Pickett proclaimed Thursday, Oct. 30, to be Chief Billy Tidwell Day, noting that the proclamation he read had been written by Dianne Tidwell, the city secretary and the chiefs spouse.

Pickett also mentioned that Tomballs city manager, George Shackelford, who has now hired Tidwell away from Liberty, was once city manager at Liberty and joked that Tidwell should tell Shackelford not to expect a Christmas card this year.

Detective Chip Fairchild wanted to say a few words, and as he approached the microphone Tidwell warned him, Im still chief until Friday.

Fairchild, however, had only good things to say of Tidwell, ending with he is going to be an awesome asset to Tomball.

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Liberty says farewell to police chief