The letter said that he was immediately relieved of his duties as police chief and would be paid through June 26.

Hill notified the city last week that he wished to appeal his dismissal.

Following the meeting Hill said he feels he did a “pretty decent job” for the city.

“Bottom line is, I always felt like I worked for the citizens,” he said. “That’s what my effort has been centered on. I think that was apparent today and with the petition. Numerous people called me. They were elderly and couldn’t come to the meeting.”

Of the nearly 400 signatures on the petition, Hill said, not all were Doerun residents but those who were not live nearby and do business in the city.

Doerun has a population of about 840.

After the meeting Ethridge and Coleman said that the city has a six-month period in which to select a new chief.

“We’re going to go ahead and as expeditiously as possible, we’re going to start advertising,” Ethridge said.