In 1941, he was appointed commanding officer of the Georgia highway Patrol with the rank of Captain.  Elliott was a graduate of the Northwestern University Traffic School and also authored the book, “Training Manual for State Patrolmen,” which was used in several states for training purposes.

Prior to World War II, J.J. Elliott held a four-year reserve commission as a Second Lieutenant in the infantry.  Late in 1941, he was appointed Chief of Police at the Bell Bomber plant in Marietta, Georgia, under a War Department directive.

Jefferson J. Elliott held a commercial radio license and was a graduate of the U.S. Army’s peace officers’ school.  While in Atlanta, he served as an instructor for the Red Cross in first aid and lifesaving methods.

Chief Elliott was appointed Chief of Police of Clearwater on December 31, 1946.  In late 1948, he resigned from office to accept a position as a special investigator for Governor Fuller Warren.  he was succeeded by Chief George T. McClamma who was appointed on January 1, 1949. When Governor Warren's term ended, Chief Elliott returned to Clearwater and worked for the "County Patrol", then later joined the Pinellas County Engineering Department. Chief Elliott died of a heart attack while driving down Court St. in downtown Clearwater on November 30, 1956. 

If you have additional information on Chief Elliott's life and career, we would like to hear from you. Contact us at police@myclearwater.com.

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