In a move that surprised nearly everyone in the council chambers, Police Chief John Clayton abruptly resigned as the top cop in Nashville Monday night. Seemingly without any warning, when Mayor Travis Harper asked Clayton if he had anything to report to the city council, he simply walked to the podium, said ‘thank you,’ placed his badge on the lectern, and walked out.

Clayton had been on sick leave the past two weeks- however, Clayton told WALB late Tuesday that he has accepted a position to become the next chief of police in Pearson.

In the meantime, Major Chuck Edwards will be serving as interim chief of police in Nashville.