THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280590
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 36 lines
After almost four decades in uniform, James Ray Flowers is ready to put on civilian clothes.
The chief of the Manteo Police Department since 1990, Flowers spent more than 18 years with the department.
``I've decided to call it quits,'' Flowers, 57, said Tuesday. ``After 40 years of putting on a uniform every day, 20 years in the military and 18 1/2 as a police officer, I've decided it's time to hang it up.
``My wife has been talking to me for the last year, asking me when I was going to retire. I've thought about it and thought about it, and decided I wanted to spend what little time I have left with my young 'un and my wife. I hope I have a lot of time left to do that.''
He served for 20 years in the Air Force, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, before joining the Manteo Police Department in 1977. He left in 1989, but returned nine months later as chief.
The department has doubled from three officers to six since he came to Manteo.
``We've started a community policing program, and we start our bicycle patrol on Monday,'' Flowers said. ``The growth of the department, as well as the increase in the amount of training, are the things I'm proud of.''
Town Clerk Shannon Twiddy said the town has not begun a search for Flowers' successor. The job pays $31,896 annually.
``We'll have to advertise the position, in keeping with the state statute,'' Twiddy said. ``But I haven't received anything yet concerning a search process.''
Flowers is the second Outer Banks police chief to resign this year. In May, Kill Devil Hills Police Chief James Gradeless retired. Raymond L. Davis, Gradeless' successor, assumes his new duties today. by CNB