A stunning development in Pickens Thursday night.
The police chief resigned--weeks after he was suspended for using racial slurs.
The city council voted to accept his resignation, just hours after the NAACP stood in front of them demanding he be removed.
The move comes after Chief Tommy Ellenburg--a decades long veteran of the force--was suspended for 15 days after he admitted using the N-word on numerous occasions around other officers.
Reportedly, sometimes directed at certain council members.
Sheila Crawford with the Pickens Co. NAACP spoke before the resignation: "The chief sets the standard for the entire department. If he is allowed to use the N-word--his officers will think its acceptable."
Mayor David Owens was shocked by the decision.
"He just said 'I resign....I want to turn in my resignation', and he gave me his gun and his badge," said Owens.
The investigation into the racial slurs has spawned a SLED investigation, after former officer Matt Ward came forward with the allegations.
The assistant chief is now in charge until a new chief can be hired.
The resignation is immediate.
The chief will be paid a $13,000 balance in vacation and sick time.
And will get insurance for up to 8 months, at a cost of about $400 a month.
We were not able to reach the chief for comment Thursday night.
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