One of Plainview Chief of Police Eddie Muncey’s favorite activities as a young boy was playing baseball and, like many young boys, he dreamed of being a professional baseball player.
Muncey also had a great admiration for police officers and was enthralled with the lights, the sirens, and the dignity of the uniform. Growing up in Union County Muncey played baseball until high school when his priorities changed and his new passion was to get a set of wheels. He got his first job at Hensley’s IGA and with his earnings bought his first pickup truck.
In years that followed, Muncey worked in construction trimming houses until one day he decided to follow one of his boyhood dreams of becoming a police officer, to serve and protect his community. At the time his wife was attending Lincoln Memorial University’s School of Nursing, so he supported her until she graduated, and then it was his turn to go back to school. Today, they are blessed not only with a mutually supportive marriage but also with two children ages six and nine, who are also very involved with sports.
Muncey attended Walters State Police Academy and graduated with a 4.0-grade point average! He was hired under Earl Lloyd Jr.’s administration by Chief of Police Jamie Breeden. He served as a patrolman for several years and worked his way up to Criminal Investigator for the sheriff’s office. Muncey’s police career continued to advance until he succeeded David Tripp as Plainview’s Chief of Police.
Muncey says that growing up in Union County you get to know everyone, it’s a wonderful place to live, he has had the privilege of working with some really good people, and considers himself to be very fortunate to be where he is. He is so thankful for all of his blessings, stating, “I grew up just a regular guy, and now I wake up every morning with a wife and kids and everyone’s healthy and you just can’t put a price tag on that!” He enjoys all aspects of his life.
Muncey has also been a Preacher for 18 years and currently attends and sometimes preaches at Cedar Ford Baptist Church. Muncey will says he couldn’t do this job without his faith in God. He appreciates the prayers of those who lift him and other officers up to keep them safe and allow them to return home to their families, and the kind and supportive words from the community that encourages him in the dark hours of this job.
Muncey believes we’re fortunate to be in a good community with good people, and he strives to use common sense law enforcement and to always be fair.
“We’ve got a few that get a little sideways,” he says, “but overall it’s a great community.” His aim is to leave the community even better than he found it. His advice for those aspiring to enter law enforcement: Don’t go into this job looking for wealth or publicity, go in looking to serve the public and protect the people who can’t protect themselves — your job is to help people. Know that you will have to bite your tongue and take a lot of things, and although you aren’t in it to be lifted by others, they will lift you up with a word of gratitude or positive comments, sometimes coming just when you need it most!
Muncey sees Union County as open for business. It’s a good place to live with a low crime rate compared to outlying areas, with good people who support local businesses and encourage fellow citizens in their endeavors.