Chief William “Doc” Oliver Receives ‘06 Community Police Service Award

by Dwight Turner

Residents of the Ardmore area have long been familiar with the name of William “Doc” Oliver. As a long time law enforcement officer and Ardmore Police Chief, Oliver’s name has become synonymous with professionalism, dedication to duty, and community service.

Oliver’s reputation extends far beyond the local community.

Last week, Chief Oliver was presented with the inaugural Police Service Award, given during ceremonies at the 2006 Southeast Law Enforcement Training Seminar (SELETS). The seminar was held in Lawrenceburg, TN.

Over 1,000 people were in attendance when Master of Ceremonies Chris Williams asked Oliver to come forward to receive the award. The crowd gave Oliver a standing ovation in recognition of his many years of service in law enforcement.

Ardmore Police Chief William “Doc” Oliver displays the Community Police Service Award, presented during ceremonies at the 2006 Southeast Law Enforcement Training Seminar, held in Lawrenceburg, TN. (photo by Dwight Turner)

Williams stated that Oliver’s name came up early on in the search process for the recipient of the first Community Police Service Award and that the selection was unanimous.

“I am overwhelmed, very surprised and really didn’t plan to be here because we are having an election in Alabama and we were short-handed,” said Oliver upon receiving the award. “But when Mayor Bobby Hastings called me and said I should be here to represent the town, then I knew to come. I still didn’t know until now as to why Mayor Hastings wanted me here.”

In a subsequent interview, Chief Oliver stated that he was at his desk in Ardmore on the morning of the day he received the award, when he got a phone call from Mayor Hastings.

“The mayor asked me where I was and wondered why I was not in Lawrenceburg,” stated Oliver. “I told him I had already sent two officers over there to the seminar and, because of the election, we were short-handed here in Ardmore. He told me to get ready and come on over there, so I did. When I got there they were waiting outside for me. I was really surprised when they took me inside and presented me with the award. It was a great honor and I thought they could have found someone more deserving than me.”

Oliver stated that he was grateful to receive the award and honored at being selected. The chief went on to praise the work done by local law enforcement officers and discussed the dangers associated with police work.

“I thank God every night after my shift is over for allowing me to return home. It’s tough out there,” said Oliver. “We lay our lives on the line every day and night. I am proud to be a law enforcement officer. Ardmore is a wonderful place and the people are great.”

Oliver graduated from Giles County High School in 1956 and began his career in law enforcement two months later, as a night jailer in Giles County. He became a policeman for the City of Pulaski at age 25.

In 1968, Oliver ran for Giles County Sheriff and was elected for two terms. He became a policeman in Ardmore in 1977, at a time when the community was served by two police departments, one in Tennessee and one in Alabama.

For the past 24 years, Oliver has served as Chief of Police for a unified department in Ardmore, serving two states and four counties.