Staff photo by Mallory Brown | Rockingham Police Chief Billy Kelly pins Lieutenant Eddie Grant during Thursday's ceremony at City Hall.

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Staff photo by Mallory Brown | Lieutenant Eddie Grant is pictured with his wife, Mindi, and three daughters, Morgan, Page and Kalei.

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Sergeant Eddie Grant of the Rockingham Police Department was recently promoted to Lieutenant over the Patrol Division.

City officials and several members of the Rockingham Police Department attended a pinning ceremony at City Hall on Thursday in honor of Grant.

City Manager Monty Crump was among those to congratulate the new Patrol Commander.

“We’re really proud of him and the department as a whole,” Crump said of Grant, who will have spent 20 years with the police department in February. Crump added that Grant was well thought of by the other officers and brought a lot of experience to the department.

Police Chief Billy Kelly said he has spent his entire career at the department with Grant, including going to school with him.

“This position is not anything given,” Kelly said. “It’s earned.”

Chief Kelly said Grant has done very well with the department as a sergeant, and will continue do just as well as Lieutenant and Patrol Commander.

Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin said the promotion was very well deserved.

“(This promotion) gives everyone a chance to see what cooperation and teamwork are all about,” McLaurin said as he addressed Grant and the other officers in attendance. “I couldn’t be more proud of how you’ve worked together to be a positive influence at Rockingham Police Department.”

City Councilman Steve Morris said it made him feel good to know the city is so well protected.

The ceremony concluded with the pinning of Lt. Grant by Chief Kelly and members of Grant’s family.

“I want to thank Chief Billy Kelly, Assistant Chief Mike Cockman and City Manager Monty Crump for having the confidence in me to be the Patrol Commander,” Lt. Grant said during the ceremony. “I’m looking forward to serving the citizens of Rockingham in this capacity and working with other law enforcement agencies in making Rockingham and Richmond County a safe place. I also want to thank my wife, Mindi, my children, Page, Morgan, Kalei and Jeremy, along with the rest of my family for their continued support throughout my law enforcement career.”

— Staff Writer Mallory Brown can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 16, or by email at mallorybrown@heartlandpublications.com.