J.D. Nelson reached his first anniversary as Thomson police chief on March 9, and he says his mission hasn't changed.
"I want the citizens to know they're free from harm," Nelson said.
One of the duties in the Thomson Police Department mission statement is apprehending criminals.
"Every day, you encounter these people (criminals)," Nelson said. "Therefore, we must do our jobs."
He made it clear that he has no sympathy for criminal behavior, even quoting 1 Timothy 1:9: "We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels."
Nelson has spent 23 years in law enforcement, starting in the Army and continuing in his native Washington, Ga. His goal was to become a police chief in Georgia.
"I'm a career law officer," Nelson said. "I'm not in it for the riches, fame and glory. I want to make a difference in the community I serve. I'm a servant."
During 11 years in Washington, Nelson served as a beat cop, patrol cop, patrol supervisor, K-9 officer, investigator, assistant chief investigator and chief investigator.
"I worked every level in law enforcement," Nelson said.
He said he was nicknamed "Robocop" in Washington because of his size -- 6 feet 5 inches, 300 pounds -- and his quickness in capturing suspects on foot.
"As long as I could see them, I could catch them. I'd put them on my shoulders and carry them to the patrol car," said Nelson, who played two years on a football scholarship at Georgia Southern before enlisting in the Army.
Washington had five or six nightclubs, Nelson said, and anyone who drove under the influence was apt to meet him. In 2000, he received an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for leading Georgia with 105 DUI arrests.
"I was a DUI hound," he said. "I can smell it through the vents."
He said he was also aggressive in eradicating drugs in the community.
"If I was on duty, I'd pop you," he said.
He expects his staff to share his vision for law enforcement.
"Failure is not an option for me," said Nelson, who was recently involved in the termination of Josh Caston, a Thomson police officer. "They can't work here if they don't have a passion."
Caston had been placed on a 10-day administrative leave for a Facebook posting about a drug investigation. He was fired after he did not appear for a fitness-for-duty assessment.
Through grants and a calendar that raised $10,000, Nelson has updated the force, purchasing cameras, radar and shotguns for the patrol cars and new uniforms for his officers.
Nelson admitted that directing a police department is stressful. He said he became a Christian in 1997 and relies on his faith to deal with the pressure. On a wall in his office is a picture frame he's had for 15 years with the reassuring words: "Good Morning. This is God. I'll be handling all your problems today. I will NOT need you. So have a good day."
Thomson Mayor Kenneth Usry said Nelson has been an asset to the community and as a city employee.
"In my opinion, his performance has been superb," Usry said. "We've had a few bumps in the road, but he's come through like a champ."
