After spending time with his wife, daughter and grandchildren in Oklahoma over the winter break, former Richmond Hill Police Chief Raymond “Mitch” Shores said his final goodbyes before packing up his office last Friday; his last day on the job before sealing his retirement. 

A U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Shores has been in law enforcement for 34 years, spending that time between the Savannah and Richmond Hill police departments. 

But his time with Richmond Hill felt extra special, seeing as he and his family have lived in the area for more than 30 years. 

“I’ve called this place my hometown. This is where we raised our children, this is where we go to church, this is where my parents are at,” said Shores.

“It’s a special privilege to get to be the chief of police in your hometown.” 

Shores was sworn in as Richmond Hill Police Chief in December 2016, and has overseen a city in a county seeing growth at every turn, from new businesses and neighbors to bigger schools and parks. 

But amidst all the rapid growth and development, one factor hasn’t changed: the support from the community for the police department, says Shores. 

“The community has always treated the police department here really well. The schools, small businesses, the churches, the military, the citizens that live here,” Shores said. 

“The city administration here, the mayor, the council, they treated me so well…this is a great place to work.”

It is safe to say that Shores has repaid the community’s trust in him tenfold: when the Department shared Shores’ retirement message on Facebook, the post garnered over 500 reactions and comments, virtually all positive.  

When talking about his time with the RHPD, Shores cites the “joy” and camaraderie with his team in what can be a tough line of work. 

“Those times out there, when everybody’s sharing their experiences, their stories…that’s what I’ll miss [the most].” 

Building supportive relationships was at the heart of Shores’ work philosophy as a policeman.  

While teaching classes at the Savannah Police Department, the former police chief was often asked "what makes someone a good teacher at the police academy?” 

And Shores, evading the obvious answers like public speaking or book smarts, chose a different tack. 

“To be a coach, teacher, instructor, [or] leader, the primary characteristic that you have to possess is a desire to see the other person grow,” says Shores.  

“Everything else can be taught, but the desire to see someone else grow and succeed, that comes from the heart.”