BERLIN — After three years at the post, Berlin Police Chief Jerry Evers resigned Thursday night

“I’m not leaving on bad terms. In the last year, it’s been really hard, putting in a lot of hours and it’s kind of took its toll on some of my health issues,” Evers said Friday. “... I feel like it’s a time for change. ... Berlin is a good community. Each one of those guys serving on this council, their hearts were in the right place, and they want what’s best for this community. I can sympathize with them, but I’m just worn out.

“I’ve had to weather a lot of storms since I’ve been here,” Evers said, “but I think overall I’ve done a good job while I’ve been here changing the image from a bad image to a pretty good image.

“... It seems like money is a big issue everywhere right now,” he said. “Berlin has been trying to stay operating in the black. I appreciate that. Each one of the councilmembers work hard. I think I’ve tried to do my part since I’ve been here. ... I think I’m leaving the department a lot better than when I’ve come here.”

The Berlin Police Department consists of a chief and two officers, he said, and no move has been made to name an interim chief.

For the last couple of years, Evers’ position as chief of Berlin has pulled him away from his driving passion, and that’s preaching the Gospel.

“Sometimes, that gets discouraging, but I don’t want to quit law enforcement,” he said, adding that he simply needed to step away from the demands of Berlin.

Evers also mentioned that many people particularly over the past year have been “pressuring” him to run for sheriff, but Evers said he wants his relationship with the sheriff to remain the same.

“I guess I’m one of his biggest supporters. I’m going to work hard to do what I can for him while I’m living here,” he said.

Evers became chief of Berlin after three years at the Moultrie Police Department. He has served as chief of police for the Georgia cities of Enigma, Jacksonville and Cusseta and has more than two decades of law enforcement experience.

He serves on the board of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and has hinted at a couple of opportunities for him in the South Georgia area.

Most of Berlin’s elected officials were unavailable for comment Friday. Of the city council, only Lonnie Cannon returned a call from The Observer, and Cannon was very supportive of Evers.

Cannon said he was not at the Thursday meeting at which Evers resigned, but he spoke with the mayor Friday morning about the chief’s resignation.

“As far as I know, Jerry just chose to resign, and it’s a loss to the city of Berlin,” Cannon said. “… Jerry Evers is a fine, outstanding police officer.”