The former Amarillo chief police, Jerry Neal, has died, according to the Amarillo Police Department.
In a release published on Wednesday afternoon, the Amarillo Police Department announced that Neal had passed. Neal served as Chief of Police from February of 1981 until March of 2007. He was the longest serving chief in the history of the Amarillo Police Department. Prior to coming to Amarillo, he was the assistant police chief for Norman, Oklahoma. Neal was brought to Amarillo by city manager John Stiff and oversaw major changes in the operations of the Amarillo Police Department. Some of Neal's biggest accomplishments were creating a partnership with the Bridge Children's Advocacy Center and the creation of the bicycle mounted officers unit at APR. The Amarillo Police Department also grew from 234 officers to 312 under Neal.
While Neal retired in 2007, his legacy lived on, as his son, Kent Neal, continued his career as an officer of the Amarillo Police Department.
No funeral arrangements have been announced at this time. It is unclear whether any further details will be shared by the Amarillo Police Department.
On behalf of the Amarillo Pioneer, we will keep the Neal family in our thoughts and prayers at the time of Chief Neal's passing.
Photo by the Amarillo Police Department