Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden and Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Connelly, Jr. have both announced their plans to retire in 2025. Chief Braden shared in a Facebook post that his last day with the police department will be March 31, 2025. Dr. Connelly will retire on July 1, 2025.
"I have taken immense pride in my career as a police officer and current Chief of Police for the City of Fayetteville. Hired in March of 1996, the past twenty-nine years of service have provided me with some of the most memorable and fulfilling moments of my life,” shared Chief Braden in a post to the Fayetteville Police Department Facebook page. “The Fayetteville Police Department has become my family and been there for me during the good times, the tough times, and every moment in between. For twenty-nine years I have stood that thin blue line in the face of danger with my brothers and sisters in blue. I have served with some of the most professional individuals to have worked in the Law Enforcement Profession. I have shed blood, sweat and tears on the streets of Fayetteville and I don't regret a single moment of my service. Being a Fayetteville Police Officer is one of my proudest accomplishments.”
Chief Braden’s two years as Police Chief and over two decades as an officer have yielded promising results. Last month the department released a report announcing that total overall crime has dropped to its lowest point in 10 years, with a 10% reduction in total crime compared to the same period last year.
“As the Police Chief, I have focused the past two years of my administration on personal accountability, crime mitigation, succession planning & recruitment, which have poised the department for a successful transition in the months to come. We have achieved two consecutive years of crime reduction, improved officer morale, promoted key positions in leadership, and structured a pay plan that will help recruit & retain quality police officers for the future. I am committed to working diligently during my remaining time to ensure a smooth transition, assist in any way possible with finding a suitable replacement, transferring knowledge and completing outstanding tasks. It has been an honor & privilege to serve the citizens of Fayetteville and lead the Fayetteville Police Department as the Chief of Police,” concluded Braden in his statement announcing his retirement.
After 34 years of distinguished service in public education, Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., who has served as the superintendent of CCS since 2018, is preparing to retire. Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Connelly expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to lead CCS through transformative change.
“I am profoundly grateful to this Board of Education, to our incredible staff, to our students and families, and to this entire community for the unwavering support and partnership that have made this journey so meaningful,” said Dr. Connelly in a press release. “When I began this role in 2018, we laid out an ambitious vision—The Cumberland Commitment: Strategic Plan—to transform our schools and create opportunities for every student to succeed. Together, we’ve brought that vision to life—raising graduation rates, reducing low-performing schools, achieving equity in technology access, and strengthening family and community partnerships. The work we’ve done has been nothing short of extraordinary.”
Dr. Connelly’s career is defined by a commitment to equity, innovation and excellence. Before joining CCS, he held leadership roles in the Wake County Public School System, serving as Chief of Staff and Assistant Superintendent for Student Services. He began his career as a special education teacher assistant and worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at both the middle and high school levels.
In 2019, shortly after stepping into his role as superintendent, Dr. Connelly worked with the Board of Education and stakeholders to develop The Cumberland Commitment: Strategic Plan. This community-driven strategic plan set a bold vision to guide the district’s growth in four priority areas: Successful Students, Premier Professionals, Exceptional Environment, and Committed Community.
Additionally, under Dr. Connelly’s leadership, CCS earned numerous accolades, including:
As he prepares to transition into retirement, Dr. Connelly remains optimistic about CCS’ future.
“This decision is not one I’ve made lightly, but I feel within myself that it’s time to step into the next chapter of my life,” he added in a press release. “My wife, Joyce, our children and especially our 11 grandchildren have been a constant source of joy and inspiration, and they deserve more of my time. My church family, who has supported me so faithfully throughout this journey, also needs me in a greater capacity. We’ve built a strong foundation, and CCS is well-positioned to continue moving forward.”
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