By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

Effingham County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Jeanne Wynn, court division commander, sent out an email a few weeks ago to county officials, other local law enforcement agencies and staff from Rincon and Guyton. The email was brief, but swore all the recipients to secrecy.

She just wanted to make sure everyone was available and to not tell her husband, Springfield Police Chief Paul Wynn, of what she was up to: a surprise anniversary luncheon on Aug. 2.

The luncheon was given by the City of Springfield and hosted at Moncrief Square Event Center on Laurel Street.

Chief Wynn has served with the Springfield Police Department for 30 years, and has been its chief since 2005. He started as a patrol officer in 1993 and worked his way up the ranks. He is now the longest serving police chief in Springfield history.

“I really appreciate the city putting this on for me,” Chief Wynn said. “Our department’s like a big family. It’s really not hard to get close to your employees and your community. I just love working here.

“We do put more emphasis on serving and I’m just proud to do it,” Chief Wynn added.

Springfield Mayor Barton Alderman was one of several people who presented Chief Wynn with a plaque to commemorate his years of service with the city. Wynn teared up a couple of times with emotion thanking the crowd. His stepfather and mother, Robert and Shan Pankey, drove all the way from Horton, Alabama, for the event.