Cobb County Manager Names James “J.D.” Ferrell as Finalist for Police Chief

Cobb County has selected James “J.D.” Ferrell as the lone finalist for the position of Police Chief. Ferrell, who has been serving as interim chief since April 2025, is expected to be officially appointed at an upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting.

County Manager Jackie McMorris, exercising the power granted to her by the charter – which calls for a strong County Manager form of government, formally recommended Ferrell for the role, effective October 14. The position became vacant following the April retirement of former Chief Stuart VanHoozer, who served 35 years in law enforcement, including three as Cobb’s top officer.

However, the recommendation of Ferrell by McMorris was not without controversy. Concerns were raised by some members of the commission, within the police department, and in the community after reports surfaced that Chairwoman Lisa Cupid favored Erika Shields for the role. Shields, who previously led police departments in both Atlanta and Louisville, was rumored to be in the running — a possibility that sparked tension over the selection process, the future direction of the department, and the questionable past that followed Shields as the former chief in both cities.

Shields was Atlanta’s first openly gay chief and the second woman to lead the force. Appointed in 2016, she resigned in June 2020 following the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks by officer Garrett Rolfe in a Wendy’s parking lot. Shields later served as chief of police in Louisville, Kentucky, from 2021 to 2023, but was asked to resign after a new mayor took office — a move she described as “political” in an interview with a Kentucky news outlet.

McMorris’ recommendation of Ferrell as the sole finalist appears to have closed that chapter, signaling her confidence in promoting leadership from within the department.
“During his tenure with the Cobb County Police Department, he has distinguished himself with his leadership and management,” McMorris wrote in her recommendation to the board. “Mr. Ferrell has a 32-year career in law enforcement, beginning his service with DeKalb County before joining the Cobb County Police Department in 1996. His extensive background in the various divisions of CCPD provides a strong foundation to lead the County’s police force.” McMorris also shared that Ferrell is working on a degree that he expects to obtain in 2026.

With nearly three decades of experience with Cobb Police, Ferrell has served in multiple capacities — including patrol officer, SWAT team operator and supervisor, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major, and deputy chief.

If McMorris’s pick of Ferrell is officially confirmed by a majoirty of the members of the commission, he will continue to lead one of Georgia’s largest law enforcement agencies, overseeing efforts to strengthen community trust, improve officer morale, and enhance public safety across Cobb County. The next meeting of the commission is Tuesday, October 14 at 9 a.m.