By Graham Sweeney
Former Collierville Police Chief Larry Goodwin passed away on Aug. 18 at the age of 75.
He served the town from 1999 to 2018 and spent 48 years in law enforcement.
“We have lost a special member of the CPD family who modeled what it meant to serve with honor and integrity. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Goodwin family and all those whose life has been touched by Chief Goodwin,” said Chief Dale Lane.
Upon announcing his retirement in April 2018, Goodwin remarked, “It’s been a good ride. I’ve been a policeman 48 years, and now I’m going to take it easy for a little bit.”
The Collierville Police Department released the following statement last week.
“It is with profound sadness that we learned retired Chief Larry Goodwin has passed away. Chief Goodwin served Collierville with distinction.
Chief Goodwin is credited with starting the School Resource Officer (SRO) unit.
He oversaw the construction of a new courthouse, patrol building, and communications center during his tenure. Chief Goodwin was instrumental in starting the CPD annual Classic Car Show that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Collierville Education Foundation.
Chief Goodwin served in the United States Marine Corps and retired from the Memphis Police Department prior to his service with the Collierville Police Department.
He believed in community policing and putting service above self.”
Goodwin joined the Police Department in 1996 as a captain. In 1999, he was appointed police chief. Before Goodwin, Dennis Joyner was police chief for two decades.
Goodwin started the Classic Car Show in 2000.
