Dale Holmes, former DeKalb top cop, named Rockdale Sheriff’s deputy chief

Dale Holmes, who retired in 2015 as assistant police chief of DeKalb County, has traded in the carefree life for a top job with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office. Holmes was sworn in as the new deputy chief of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 7.

A veteran law enforcement officer, Holmes is bringing more than 30 years of experience to the county. Holmes began his law enforcement career with the DeKalb.

Police Department, rising through the ranks. He served with distinction, earning P.O.S.T. supervisory and management certifications, overseeing hundreds of sworn and non-sworn personnel, managing narcotics seizures and cultivating diversity workshops on behalf of the Police Department. His command experience includes serving as Uniform Division Commander,  Assistant Commander of DeKalb County Homeland Security and Intelligence and Deputy Chief of the Special Operations Division.

Among his honors, Holmes was named DeKalb Police Detective of the Year and North DeKalb Rotary Club Detective of the Year in 1995.

Holmes said one of the most important and lasting marks of his service is the creation of “Marquel’s pledge,” a campaign to end celebratory gunfire that was initiated after a 4-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet while sitting in church with his mother on New Year’s Eve. Because of his conviction, thousands of people and businesses commit to support reduce celebratory gunfire.