Marion police chief will retire

From Staff Reports

Published: November 3, 2009

Marion Police Chief Mika Elliott announced Tuesday his retirement, effective Feb. 1, 2010.
Elliott will retire with seven years of service to the city as police chief and over 36 years of total service in law enforcement. Elliott started his law enforcement career as a deputy with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office, before moving to the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation. Elliott retired from the SBI in 2003 and began work as Marion's police chief in February 2003.
Elliott presented notice of his retirement in a letter to City Manager Bob Boyette.
Boyette said "the city hates to lose Chief Elliott, especially given his knowledge and experience and 36 years of service in law enforcement. Chief Elliott has served our city proudly and done an excellent job for us for the past seven years. We wish him the best in his retirement."
Boyette added that Elliott has advanced the Police Department in numerous areas and will be missed.
City officials said they would begin the selection process for a new police chief right away.
The McDowell News was unable to reach Elliott Tuesday afternoon.