Police Chief Jeff Leonard will retire Feb. 1
After more than three decades of service to the Town of Wake Forest, Police Chief Jeff Leonard has announced his retirement effective February 1, 2025. Capt. Julius Jefferson will serve as Interim Police Chief until a permanent successor is named. Leonard’s retirement caps a 32-year career in public service, the last 15 as Wake Forest Police Chief making him Wake County’s longest serving Chief of Police. A Wake Forest native and NC State graduate, Leonard began his career in public service as a volunteer with the Wake Forest Fire Department in 1987, where he served until 2010. Leonard joined the Wake Forest Police Department as a part-time auxiliary officer in 1992 before becoming a full-time officer in August 1994. Over the next several years, he served in a variety of specialized positions, including Juvenile Officer, General Crimes Detective, Narcotics Sergeant (2001), Investigations Lieutenant (2003), and as a member of the