McGougin to trade guns for hair shears

With about 25 years experience in law enforcement, Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin is retiring from the force and is changing directions, from Andy to Floyd with McGougin planning on opening a full-scale men's barbershop in Brewton.

McGougin, 47, was honored Friday afternoon with the retirement reception at the Hour Glass with friends, family and fellow law enforcement officers on hand.

A native of Brewton, McGougin was a 1991 graduate of T.R. Miller High School and attended Troy State University where he received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology.

He spent about six months with Troy State Police Department before joining the Troy Police Department in January, 1995. In 2000 he joined the Escambia County Sheriff's Office as an investigator in the domestic violence crime unit under Sheriff Tim Hawsey.

He was hired as Brewton's police chief in October, 2005.

"It's been very rewarding to me," McGougin said of being Brewton's police chief. "It's the job I always wanted. I was 32 when the job came open and I applied and got it."

McGougin said sometimes its a challenge to police in the city you grow up in but it's also rewarding.

"A good friend won't put you in a bad situation," McGougin said. "None have ever put me in a bad situation. But there's a lot of reward in policing the people you know. Law enforcement has been good to me."

McGougin told the crowd Friday he was not going anywhere and is planning on opening a barbershop called Chief & Co. It will be located inside the building where his wife Melanie has Jus Do.

"It will be a full-scale barbershop right down to the hot shave," he said. "It will also be a great place for people to come and socialize."

McGougin said he will have two barbers coming on board, but said he will also be cutting hair.

"I'm a people person," McGougin said. "I like being around people and this seemed to be the perfect opportunity."