Bill Hitchens
Bill Hitchens | |
|---|---|
Official headshot | |
| Director of Georgia Office Homeland Security | |
| In office 2003–2005 | |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 161st district | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Mickey Stephens |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 26, 1947 United States |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Norma Hitchens |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Other names | William W. Hitchens, William W. "Bill" Hitchens, Jr. |
| Relatives | William W. Hitchens, III (son) |
| Military career | |
Branch | United States Marine Corps |
Service years | 1965-1969 |
Conflicts | Vietnam War |
William Whitehead Hitchens Jr.[1] (born April 26, 1947) is an American former police officer, former Director of Homeland Security and current politician from Georgia. Hitchens is a Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 161st District, serving since 2012.
Education
[edit]In 1975, Hitchens earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice/political science from Georgia Southern University. Hitchens graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.[2][3]
Career
[edit]In 1965, Hitchens served in the United States Marines Corps, until 1969. Hitchens is a Vietnam veteran.[4][3]
In 1969, Hitchens became a Trooper with Georgia State Patrol, until 1997.[4][3]
In 1976, Hitchens served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve Unit Air Station Savannah, until 2001.[3]
In 2002, Hitchens was appointed by Governor-Elect Sonny Perdue as the Director of Georgia Office Homeland Security. Hitchens served as Director from 2003 to 2005.[2][3]
On November 6, 2012, Hitchens won the election unopposed and became a Republican member of Georgia House of Representatives for District 161.[5] On November 4, 2014, as an incumbent, Hitchens won the election unopposed and continued serving District 161.[6] On November 8, 2016, as an incumbent, Hitchens won the election unopposed and continued serving District 161.[7] On November 6, 2018, as an incumbent, Hitchens won the election and continued serving District 161. Hitchens defeated Adam Bridges with 63.45% of the votes.[8][4] On November 3, 2020, as an incumbent, Hitchens won the election unopposed and continued serving District 161.[9][10][3]
Personal life
[edit]Hitchens' wife is Norma Hitchens. They have 4 children. Hitchens and his family live in Rincon, Georgia.[4][3]
Hitchens' son William W. Hitchens, III, is also a law enforcement officer. In 2020, Hitchens' son William W. Hitchens, III, became the Lieutenant Colonel of the Georgia State Patrol and Deputy Commissioner of Georgia Department of Public Safety.[11][12][13]
References
[edit]- ↑ "William Whitehead Hitchens Jr - Georgia Contributor". Transparency USA. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- 1 2 "Governor-Elect Perdue Appoints Bill Hitchens Director of Homeland Security". georgia.gov. January 9, 2002. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Bill Hitchens' Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 "Bridges, Hitchens running for District 161 State House". wsav.com. 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ "GA House 161". ourcampaigns.com. November 6, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ↑ "GA House 161". ourcampaigns.com. November 4, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ↑ "GA House 161". ourcampaigns.com. November 8, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ "GA House 161". ourcampaigns.com. November 6, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ "GA House 161". ourcampaigns.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ "Representative Bill Hitchens". legis.ga.gov. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ↑ "New Georgia DPS Commissioner Means Big Promotions for 3 with South Georgia Roots". allongeorgia.com. September 30, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ↑ "Public Safety Board promotes Hitchens". savannahnow.com. October 7, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ↑ "DPS Leadership". georgia.gov. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
External links
[edit]- 1947 births
- FBI National Academy graduates
- Georgia Southern University alumni
- Living people
- Republican Party members of the Georgia House of Representatives
- Military personnel from Georgia (U.S. state)
- United States Department of Homeland Security officials
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War
- 21st-century members of the Georgia General Assembly