Joined the Columbus Police Department in 1959 and rose through the ranks as Sergeant, Lieutenant, Director (Alcohol Safety Action Project), Commander (Patrol/Detective Division) and Chief of Police in 1981. Served under five mayors, retiring in 1995. Appointed to the Parole Board in 1995 and to the Department of Corrections as Commissioner in 1999, serving four years in that position. Elected November of 2006, he was sworn in as the 67th Mayor of Columbus, GA on January 2, 2007.

Married to Shirley Bell Wetherington. Three children.