By David Jackson
Paris, Tenn.–As City of Paris Police Chief Charles “Chuck” Elizondo gets ready to retire at the end of this month, he still sports the beard he grew to raise money for the annual “Cops and Kids” project, a Christmas effort that in the past has allowed children to shop with a cop for the Christmas period.
He’s retiring after 42 years working for the same department and he’ll be marking a career that began as a patrolman and ended as police chief.
Chief Elizondo will be honored with a drive-through retirement party set for 3-4:30 p.m. Friday, December 18 at the Paris Civic Center outdoor canopy at 650 Volunteer Drive, Paris.
Elizondo said he remembered when he started he was looking for a job while in college as an art major.
One of his friends, Bradley Parker was on the force at the time and in conversation he told him the city was about to hire some new patrolmen. “I applied and didn’t expect to stay in the profession but that’s not the way it went,” Elizondo said.
Charles Kendall, one of the first black officers on the force was his first partner in 1978. The chief remembered the good influences of those he has worked with
over the years. Besides Kendall, he named Jimmie Rowe, Keith Hopkins, Richard Dunlap and his predecessor Tommy Cooper, who all contributed to his success.
When asked about his retirement he said, “I always thought I’d know when it would be the right time. I didn’t know that COVID was going to come up or a lot of the negative issues concerning law enforcement across our country would come either, but now’s the right time for me although I’m certainly going to
miss the camaraderie and fellowship I have had with local and state police officers through the years.”
Elizondo said, “I’ve made a lot of good friends” during his career.
Speaking about the current events of the last few months and police defunding, “It’s just not right,” he said. “Unfortunately, 99% of the officers wearing a uniform are good public minded servants but there’s always that 1% that doesn’t need to be wearing it and the 99% suffer for the 1%.”
Elizondo noted he wears a uniform, “and all the equipment that goes with it just like every other officer under me. About half of the police chiefs across the state wear street clothes and half uniforms. I do it out of respect for my officers”.
When asked about his biggest accomplishment he didn’t think long and responded: “Staff. I think I’ve got the best staff as officers, dispatchers, and records of any in the state. I’ve always thought the best
person for the job should be promoted not the ‘next in line’”.
What does the future hold? Elizondo said he will continue to be involved in the community in organizations like the Kiwanis Club (he’s a past president), and he will spend time with his “three
beautiful grand-daughters” and his wife, Landa, who he calls his rock who has supported him all through the years. Elizondo and Landa will soon be married for 40 years.
He leaves the position with the same advice that he greets new hires. “Work Hard, Be Safe, Have Fun. Help and be nice to people…You are a public servant and you are here to serve the public.”