Ron Ultz to retire after long career in law enforcement

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June 29, 2009

By Karen Middleton The News Courier Mon Jun 29, 2009, 07:29 PM CDT

On July 6, retiring Athens Code Enforcement Officer Ron Ultz will travel to Chattanooga for TVA orientation in preparation for reporting to Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant’s security department.

Ultz, who has been in the city position for five years, worked as a compliance officer at Browns Ferry for 8 1/2 years in the 1980s, but he says “The Ferry” is a different place to come home to.

“Security at Browns Ferry is a very absolute business,” said Ultz. “At the time I left, there were 300 officers. Now, they do more with less.”

Ultz said the Nuclear Regulatory Commission could fine Browns Ferry thousands of dollars for even minor security breaches.

Browns Ferry recently took back security functions after having contracted the job out for several years.

Ultz, 55, began his law enforcement career in 1975 when he was hired as a deputy by former Sheriff Buddy Evans. He stayed with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department for four years before being hired by TVA.

“I went to work at the Yellow Creek Nuclear Plant (Iuka, Miss.), and drove 106 miles one way every day for a year before I got transferred to Browns Ferry.”

The late Mayor Maurice Nichols hired Ultz as head of Animal Control and Enforcement in the 1980s; then five years ago the Athens City Council combined animal enforcement under the Police Department and appointed him code enforcement officer.

“If that hadn’t gone well, they would have been embarrassed, but it worked very well,” said Ultz. “As a matter of fact, it’s been the best five years of my career.”

Ultz is a charter member of the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police and has remained active in the organization since it began in 1976. He has lobbied for police causes, including the passage of the so-called “stress bill,” which adds retirement year credits for officers.

During Ultz’s years in law enforcement, he’s been present for shootouts, bank robber chases, faced down a lot of pit bull dogs and was even startled by a cobra when, thinking it was an indigenous snake, he tapped on its glass case and it arose in full-hooded striking posture.

Ultz said the worst thing that happened during that time was the gunning down of two police officers by a mentally ill man five years ago. Sgt. Larry Russell and Officer Tony Mims died when they were ambushed when they answered a call. Both died.

“Larry Russell was my brother-in-law,” he said. “That really mellowed me, as well as my daughter Sara’s catastrophic illness.”

Sara Ultz had a six-organ transplant three years ago after a blood clot resulting from weight-reduction surgery cut off the blood supply to her small intestine and gangrene set in. A resulting intravenous feeding procedure led to cirrhosis of the liver and multi-organ failure. She has since recovered after several setbacks.

“It makes you stop and look and say, hey, I’ve got my health and I’ve got my family and nothing else really matters,” said Ultz. “It changed my attitude from the early years when I’ve got to admit, I kind of rubbed some politicians the wrong way.”

Ultz said he will be eternally grateful for the support of the police during his daughter’s illness.

“Anyone can be supportive of you when things are going good, but when things are bad and they step up to the plate for your family, that really says something for them,” he said. “I’d like to think I’ve been an asset to them.”

Ultz met his second wife, Mary, while attending a law enforcement conference. A former Forsythe County, Ga., deputy sheriff, Mary Ultz now works with Huntsville Police as a fingerprint technician.

For the past 25 years, Ultz has also operated a lawn care business.

“It paid for my kids’ college and bought my Harleys — I have three,” he said. “My wife has one and I have two. They are our toys and we travel a lot, especially in the mountains.”

Ultz said in retiring from the city he is especially grateful to the last two City Councils.

“They made my last five years the best in my career,” he said.

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Ron Ultz to retire after long career in law enforcement

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