Shenandoah Chief retiring after 26 years of service in law enforcement
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, Feb. 6 — Although it’s not official yet, later this month the Shenandoah Council is expected to accept the resignation of Police Chief Paul Davis, effective at the end of February. Again… although it’s not yet official, the Council is also expected to make a promotion from within the department and have the new chief take the reins on March 1.
“I have decided to retire at this time because I am eligible to retire through the Virginia Retirement System. I will have had 26 years of service as a law enforcement officer,” Chief Davis told PVN earlier this week.
The Shenandoah police chief has verbally shared his intentions with members of the Council and Town staff, but the Shenandoah Council still needs to formally except his resignation with a stated last day of Feb. 28, 2026.
Chief Davis first began his law enforcement career with the Massanutten Police Department in 1997. The next year he was hired as an officer in the Shenandoah Police Department. From 1999 to 2002, he served as a deputy in the Page County Sheriff’s Office before returning to the Shenandoah PD. Davis was promoted to chief of the department on April 1, 2012.
“Looking back on my career, I am proud to have been able to serve all persons that I have dealt with on any situation to the best of my ability. I always have taken pride in treating everyone with dignity and just like the way I would want to be treated,” Chief Davis said. “I am most proud that I was able to do my part to keep the Shenandoah Police Department moving in the right direction, keeping up with the technology demands, updated equipment, hiring outstanding officers and being able to expand the number of officers that serve Shenandoah on a 24-hour basis.”
After serving the county through law enforcement for more than a quarter of a century, Chief Davis said his plans for retirement include spending more time with his family “and being able to enjoy not being woken up at 3 a.m. for an emergency.”
“I will miss interacting with community members, other law enforcement officers and having the ability to help people in need,” he added. “I will not miss the social media drama… so many stories are told on social media that are not true and spread so many stories that actually create more issues for law enforcement and government as a whole.”
Town Manager Charles Jenkins told PVN that, “Captain Rodney Hensley is planned to be promoted to Chief, effective March 1.” Captain Hensley has been employed by the Town for 13 years.
For more information about the Town of Shenandoah,
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