New police chief chosen

Heath will officially begin as chief of police on June 16 (photo courtesy of the University of Chicago).

Eric Heath will become the new police chief of the George Mason University police department starting June 16, 2013. 

The announcement was sent in an email by Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance Jennifer Wagner Davis on May 1. Heath currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Police in the Patrol Services Bureau for the University of Chicago.

Heath will replace former Police Chief Mike Lynch who stepped down in November 2012. Lynch will retire from a new position as special assistant and adviser to the university this August.

Interim Police Chief Drew Tracy filled the position when Lynch stepped down in November. Tracy was one of three candidates who applied for the permament police chief position in April. The other candidate was Larry Volz who currently serves as Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety at the University of the District of Columbia.

Tracy will remain interim police chief until Heath begins in June. Tracy will then serve as special advisor to Davis and Assistant Vice President for Environment Health and Safety Juilie Zobel until the end of the calendar year. 

Heath has worked in policing and management at Vanderbilt University and the University of Arkansas. He also served in the military reserves for 12 years, according to the email sent by Davis.

Connect2Mason will update this story with any new information.