Honoring a Legacy: Celebrating Retirement at the City of Statesville

As the City of Statesville continues to evolve, we take a moment to pause and celebrate the remarkable journeys of our retiring employees. Retirement is a significant milestone, and it's with immense gratitude and fondness that we bid farewell to those who have contributed so much to the growth and success of our community. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the retiring individuals, acknowledging their years of dedication, hard work, and the indelible impact they've had on the fabric of our city.

K-9 Edo Retires from the Statesville Police Department (August 2024)

K-9 Edo has officially retired after nearly a decade of dedicated service with the Statesville Police Department. Edo, who will turn 11 in December, began his career at SPD in 2015 and has been with his handler, Officer James Findley, since 2017.

Trained in a variety of critical tasks—tracking, area searches for persons, building searches, narcotics detection, article searches for evidence, and apprehension—Edo has been an invaluable asset to the department. Officer Findley recalls numerous occasions where Edo’s keen skills made a significant difference.

Among his many contributions, Edo was instrumental in locating narcotics and tracking subjects. He also had a unique knack for finding objects lost by officers during their duties. One standout moment was when Edo successfully found a set of keys in a park on 5th Street, hours after they had been lost in the early morning.

Read the full story from the Statesville Police Department here

Chris Sloan, Statesville Electric Utilities (July 1, 2024)

After an impressive 33-year career with the City of Statesville, Chris Sloan retired on July 1, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and many memorable moments. Chris began his journey with the city in 1991 as a Skilled Laborer in the Water/Sewer Department. His commitment and diligence quickly shone through, leading to his promotion to Commercial Driver in 1993 and then to Camera Technician in 1997. By 2000, Chris had climbed the ranks to become the Crew Supervisor/Inspection Tech for the Water/Sewer Department.

In 2017, Chris decided to explore new horizons and transitioned to the Electric Utilities Department as a Staking Technician. His talent and commitment did not go unnoticed, and in 2019, he was promoted to Engineering Services Supervisor, a position he held until his retirement on July 1, 2024.

Chris's career was not without its memorable moments. One of the funniest experiences he recalls is having to take off all his clothes in the middle of the street due to cockroaches crawling on and in his clothes—a story that surely left his coworkers in stitches. Known affectionately as "Cup Cakes" by his colleagues, Chris became a beloved figure whose nickname preceded his real name.

On his last day with the city, Chris took a nostalgic trip back to the first manhole he ever opened. In a fitting and symbolic gesture, he ceremonially closed the lid one last time, marking the end of an era and the completion of a full circle in his career.

As Chris steps into retirement, he looks forward to enjoying life and taking care of his mom. His hobbies include singing in a group and performing at weddings and funerals, cleaning and detailing vehicles, and playing Santa at various events during Christmas—a role he has cherished for many years at the City’s Christmas festivities.

While Chris will miss his friends and fellow employees, his legacy and the memories he created will endure. The City of Statesville extends its heartfelt gratitude to Chris Sloan for his many years of dedicated service and wishes him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Officer Rodney Burleson, Statesville Police Department (June 28, 2024)

After 43 years of dedicated service in law enforcement, Officer Rodney Burleson has retired for the second time, marking the end of a career filled with commitment, professionalism, and community service. Starting with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, where he served for 30 years until 2010, Officer Burleson continued his journey with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and later the Statesville Police Department. His roles ranged from Reserve Officer to Lobby Officer, exemplifying his dedication to public safety and his community.

As Officer Burleson steps into retirement, he reflects fondly on his career, particularly the positive changes under Chief Onley's leadership. Known for his sound advice to new officers—"Do the right thing. Do it all the time, even when no one is looking"—Officer Burleson leaves a lasting legacy of integrity and service. The Statesville community expresses heartfelt gratitude for his unwavering dedication and wishes him a fulfilling and relaxing retirement. Congratulations, Officer Burleson! Enjoy your well-deserved "second" retirement.

Read the full story from the Statesville Police Department here

Sergeant Rance Young: Honoring Decades of Service (May 2024)

Last month, the Statesville Police Department bid farewell to Sgt. Rance Young as he retired after a remarkable career.

The department honored him with a plaque commemorating his years of dedicated service, alongside an engraved Glock 43X 9mm presented by the Chiefs and Captains.

Sgt. Young's journey as a full-time officer with the SPD began on July 10, 1995, marking nearly three decades of commitment to the community. Despite retiring, he intends to stay active by exploring part-time opportunities.

Throughout his tenure, Sgt. Young has accumulated countless memories with his fellow officers, cherishing the bonds forged in the line of duty. Having worked under six chiefs, he has experienced the department's evolution firsthand.

Read more the full story from the Statesville Police Department here

Donna Laney, Office Manager - Finance Department (April 2024)

After 34 years of dedicated service, Donna Laney retired last month from the City of Statesville. Her career spanned 25 years as an office manager in the Fire Department and 9 years as a payroll administrator in Finance.

Now, Donna looks forward to her retirement with exciting plans on the horizon. She intends to travel, spend quality time with her family—particularly her grandchildren—and enjoy more cooking classes with her sister.

Donna's new chapter promises to be filled with adventure, family, and culinary exploration!

Brenda Fugett, City Clerk Retires After 14 Years of Dedicated Service (April 8, 2024)

City Clerk, Brenda Fugett, bid farewell to her role after dedicating 14 years of service to the City of Statesville.

Her retirement was celebrated during a special reception on April 8, 2024, where Mayor Costi Kutteh presented her with a commemorative plaque at the Council meeting held later that evening.

Reflecting on her tenure, Fugett expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve, stating, “I hope the people of Statesville know how fortunate they are to have individuals who genuinely care about their work. It’s been a privilege to contribute to this wonderful city.” Fugett plans to return to her roots in West Virginia.

As she embarks on her next chapter, Fugett encourages the community to continue fostering a spirit of compassion and neighborly care, ensuring that Statesville remains a place where people look out for one another.

Pam Navey, Statesville Police Department (January 2024)

The Statesville Police Department and the community it serves came together to celebrate the remarkable career and retirement of Pam Navey, a dedicated and passionate Community Resource Officer with over 40 years of experience in the criminal justice system in Iredell County.

Navey's journey with the Statesville Police Department spanned an impressive decade, during which she played a pivotal role in strengthening connections between law enforcement and the community. Her unwavering commitment to public safety and her tireless efforts in community engagement earned her not only the respect and admiration of her fellow officers but also the affection of the residents of Statesville.

Chief David Onley, who has worked alongside Navey for many years, spoke highly of her exceptional contributions during her tenure. "Pam is a true asset to our department and the entire community," Chief Onley remarked. "Her dedication to fostering trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the public has been instrumental in making our city safer and more united. There is not a problem that comes to our department that she does not have a group or someone to reach out to that can assist with the issue. Her legacy will continue to inspire us all."

In recognition of her service, Navey was presented with a glass plaque, symbolizing her years of dedication and hard work. In addition to the plaque, she received a custom-made blanket throw featuring enlarged photographs that capture various moments in her career.

Navey's retirement marks the end of an era in the Statesville Police Department, but her impact on the community will continue to resonate for years to come. Her commitment to building bridges and fostering trust will serve as a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations of officers and reminding us all of the importance of strong community partnerships in law enforcement.

As Navey begins this new chapter of her life, the Statesville Police Department extends its deepest gratitude and wishes her a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement. Thank you, Pam, for your service, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our community. You will be missed, but your legacy will forever be a source of inspiration.

Debra Matheson, Engineering Office Manager (December 2023)

Statesville bids farewell to Debra Matheson, who recently retired after 14 dedicated years as the Engineering Office Manager. Celebrating her departure last month, Debra leaves a legacy of diligence and professionalism.

As she steps into a new chapter, eagerly anticipating travels, home projects, and moments immersed in the joy of reading.

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