Valley Grande Public Safety Director Boyd E. Pugh comes from a long line of law enforcement professionals.

His father, Boyd Pugh., was a former Chief at the Selma Fire Department (SFD). His brother, Randy Pugh, was a Chief Deputy in the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office (DSCO). Randy Pugh died on Dec. 14, 2017.

Pugh enjoys his job in Valley Grande as Public Safety Director, a position he’s held since 2007.

“Valley Grande is a smaller city than Selma,” Pugh said. “There’s not a lot going on. There hadn’t been any problems.”

Pugh is in charge of the Sewer, Inspector and works with both Valley Grande Volunteer Fire Department and Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department.  He gives those reports at the Valley Grande City Council meetings twice a month.

“I just coordinate things,” Pugh said humbly.

Pugh followed in his father’s footsteps by working in the SFD in 1977. He eventually became SFD captain and retired in 2003. Pugh said he didn’t feel pressured to follow his father’s footsteps.

“It was just a job,” Pugh said. “I was just doing my job. I did what I had to do.”

Pugh is a lifelong Selma resident and graduated from Southside High School in 1975. Pugh and his wife, Rhonda, have two sons: Kevin and Aaron.