It’s a 10-7: Chief Sticker attends last City Council meeting

Thanks citizens and council for support over illustrious 28-year MPD career

Updated June 11, 2021, at 3:26PM: Changes “outgoing” to “retiring” in lead for clarity.

Watch Video: Retiring Police Chief Gerald Sticker honored at City Council meeting.

MANDEVILLE — Fighting back tears, retiring Mandeville Police Chief Gerald Sticker addressed the Mandeville City Council for the last time last night (June 10, 2021), thanking them and the citizens of Mandeville for supporting him in his 28 years of service to the city.

“On the grand scheme of things and with very few exceptions, I’ve never had a bad day working for the City of Mandeville,” the outgoing chief told the council.

Sticker’s career with the city started in 1992 as a reserve officer, after he had served honorably in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in the first Gulf War from 1990-91.

Sticker worked his way up through the ranks in the Mandeville Police Department, serving in the criminal patrol division, investigations division, and also as public information officer, earning a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and graduating the FBI National Academy along the way. He was appointed chief in 2016.

His last official day will be Friday, June 18th, when he will make his ceremonial “10-7” call, which quite simply means “out of service” or “end of service.” The final radio transmission is a custom among law enforcement agencies when one of their own retires after a distinguished career.

“I love this city enough to step aside and let somebody with a fresh set of eyes and a fresh pair of hands take over and take it to the next level.”

— Mandeville Police Chief Gerald Sticker

Madden read a proclamation honoring the chief’s service and presented him a gift from the city, to which the chief received a standing ovation from those in attendance.

A somber yet grateful Sticker shared his thoughts on his as-yet-unnamed successor: “I hope that individual is very talented … and will do this city justice, but I promise you one thing — they won’t love this city more than I do, and its people. Thank you.”

Mayor Clay Madden announced Sticker’s retirement May 28th, saying Sticker had informed him of his decision to retire. “The announcement was unexpected … I understand and respect his decision,” Madden said in an announcement.

“Chief Sticker has been a tremendous team member and leader to the Police Department. He led the Mandeville Police Department with honor through its darkest day with the death of Captain Vincent Liberto Jr. in 2019. I deeply appreciate Gerald’s friendship and service. I salute him for his career accomplishments and certainly wish him well in his future endeavors.”

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