McGuire resigns as Franklin police chief

Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire announced her resignation Wednesday in a statement made to the Banner-Tribune.
Though her last day on duty was Wednesday, McGuire’s official resignation doesn’t take effect until Saturday.
She cited concern for Franklin officers as the reason for her decision, saying, “There’s just too much stress on law enforcement at this time.
“They have to deal with people with guns, craziness on the street and not knowing if they are going to be ambushed while they’re sitting eating lunch somewhere.
“So, I thought it was too much stress to put my officers and assistants through, having to deal with he (Mayor-elect Eugene Foulcard) and I having a battle.”
McGuire’s resignation comes just weeks after Foulcard announced in an interview with KATC, his administration’s plan to “go in a different direction” concerning the chief of police in Franklin.
Foulcard’s inauguration is set to take place Sunday at 6 p.m. at Teche Theater on Main Street.
He declined to make an official comment on McGuire’s resignation, but did say he had received a text from Franklin Mayor Raymond Harris Wednesday morning, apprising him of McGuire’s decision.
In her final address to the citizens of Franklin, McGuire said, “It’s been a pleasure serving as the chief of police for over 20 years. I can’t say that I ever didn’t want to get up to go do my job. It wasn’t about the money. It was about serving my community.
“It’s a hard time out there for officers. I just want them to be safe.
“When I was sworn in, I told the citizens I would stay at Franklin Police Department, and I stayed as long as the mayors wanted me here. But now, they want to go down a different road, and I have to respect that decision.
“It wasn’t going to do our citizens any good to have a battle because the mayor didn’t want the police chief.”
McGuire said she doesn’t intend to be “a stay-at-home wife,” and that she would “be around,” adding that she had offers to work elsewhere, and that her age and health are not yet mitigating factors in making future plans.
Harris said of McGuire’s service, “Chief McGuire has served our community in an exceptional manner.
“She has done an outstanding job and our community is better for the service she has provided.
“I wish her well in the future. She is an outstanding person, police officer and administrator, and she’s done an outstanding job for this community.
“I am thankful I have had the opportunity to work with her.”