---
title: SR 949. Stevens, John Allen; commend
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sr949
cite_as: SR 949, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr949
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr949.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr949/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74038
date: 2026-03-16
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr948.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr950.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 94
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr949.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 949
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-03-16
last_action: Senate Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Marty Harbin
  - Steve Gooch
  - Mike Hodges
  - Michael Rhett
  - Jaha Howard
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR949/2025
upstream_id: 2133427
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - legislative commendation
  - law enforcement
  - public safety
  - retirement honor
---

# SR 949. Stevens, John Allen; commend

## Text

Senate Resolution 949
By: Senators Harbin of the 16th, Gooch of the 51st, Hodges of the 3rd, Rhett of the 33rd and
Howard of the 35th
A RESOLUTION
Commending John Allen Stevens upon his honorable retirement for a lifetime of
distinguished public service; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, John Allen Stevens has rendered decades of exemplary service to the citizens
of the State of Georgia through unwavering dedication to public safety and community
involvement; and
WHEREAS, John Allen Stevens is a graduate of Campbell High School and Truett
McConnell College and the University of West Georgia, laying a strong academic foundation
for his life of service; and
WHEREAS, following his completion of college, Stevens honorably served in the United
States Army in Intelligence at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, demonstrating early commitment to
the security and defense of his nation; and
WHEREAS, he devoted 23 years as director of security at First Baptist Atlanta, serving with
distinction and responsibility, including assignments as a bodyguard to Dr. Charles Stanley,
while concurrently serving eight years in the Fulton County Sheriff's Reserve Unit; and
WHEREAS, Stevens further served for six years with the City of Atlanta Police Department
as an officer and liaison between the City of Atlanta and the Midtown community, fostering
cooperation, trust, and public safety; and
WHEREAS, he concluded his law enforcement career with 13 years of service at the Fayette
County Sheriff's Office, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant and served as chief of staff,
reflecting the confidence and respect of leadership and peers alike; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career, Stevens earned recognition as an Expert
Marksman, achieved Georgia POST certification, graduated in the top tier of multiple law
enforcement academies, collaborated with the United States Secret Service during a
presidential visit, and maintained continuous training in firearms and public safety; and
WHEREAS, Stevens approaches life and service guided by faith and humility and is a
devoted husband of 41 years, a father of two, and a proud grandfather of five, and he has
consistently demonstrated a commitment to community engagement and leadership within
his local church; and
WHEREAS, after a career defined by respect for the rule of law, justice, and the protection
of individuals and communities, John Allen Stevens will retire on April 27, 2026, leaving a
legacy of honorable service and professionalism.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
commend John Allen Stevens for his outstanding career in public service, extend best wishes
upon his retirement, and express sincere gratitude for his lasting contributions to the safety
and well-being of the people of Georgia.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to John Allen
Stevens.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia Senate resolution commends John Allen Stevens, a longtime law enforcement and security official, for his decades of public service ahead of his retirement on April 27, 2026.

### Plain-language summary

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes John Allen Stevens for his career, which included service in the United States Army Intelligence branch, 23 years as director of security at First Baptist Atlanta, eight years in the Fulton County Sheriff's Reserve Unit, six years with the City of Atlanta Police Department, and 13 years at the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, where he became a lieutenant and chief of staff.
The resolution states that Stevens will retire on April 27, 2026. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to him. It does not create any new rule, program, or funding; it simply honors his service and offers well wishes.

### What it does

- Formally commends John Allen Stevens for his career in security and law enforcement.
- States he will retire on April 27, 2026 and offers the Senate's best wishes and gratitude.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Stevens.
- Creates no new law, requirement, funding, or penalty; it is a ceremonial statement only.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names and honors John Allen Stevens. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with preparing a copy for distribution. It does not impose obligations on any broader group of Georgians.

### Why it matters

This resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally. Its significance is symbolic, recognizing an individual's decades of public service in security and law enforcement roles across Atlanta and Fayette County institutions.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses recount Stevens' education, military intelligence service, and law enforcement career, including roles at First Baptist Atlanta, the Fulton County Sheriff's Reserve Unit, the City of Atlanta Police Department, and the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.
- The resolved clause has the Senate commend Stevens and extend gratitude for his contributions to public safety.
- A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Stevens.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-03-16)
- Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-03-16)
- Sponsors: Marty Harbin, Steve Gooch, Mike Hodges, Michael Rhett, Jaha Howard
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74038

> The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr949.md?full=1