A Kirkuk man’s dedication to justice has helped him forge a career in law enforcement in the United States

On a cold night in 2023, Mohammed Salihi heard an elderly woman screaming for help from a burning house. “I called out to her, and she followed the sound of my voice, allowing us to find each other,” recalls Salihi, who was working with the LaGrange Police Department in Georgia at the time. “I was able to get her out of the burning home and to safety.”

He then discovered oxygen tanks inside the house, presenting an additional danger. “I was able to remove at least seven of them before the fire became too intense and the smoke too heavy for me to safely continue.” Afterward, he helped evacuate the surrounding neighborhood until additional officers and firefighters arrived. His actions earned him the department’s Valor Award that same year.

Now, Salihi, a Kurdish-American law enforcement officer, has assumed the role of City Chief Marshal in Manchester, Georgia. In this position, he is tasked with establishing a new municipal law enforcement agency.

Salihi steps into this leadership role following a career with the Manchester Police Department (MPD), where he advanced from corporal to sergeant and served as a community relations officer.

“During his time with the Manchester Police Department, Sergeant Salihi served our community with professionalism, integrity, and dedication,” the MPD said in a statement upon his new appointment. “We are grateful for his service and wish him continued success as he begins this new chapter leading the Manchester City Marshal’s Office.”

Kurdistan Roots

Salihi grew up in Kirkuk. As a child, he was energetic and passionate about sports and physical activity. “I always enjoyed staying active, playing sports, and keeping myself busy. I loved playing soccer and also practiced taekwondo from a young age,” he recalls.

Taekwondo became a defining part of his childhood. In 2013, he earned the First Poom rank, equivalent to a first-level black belt, an accomplishment of which he remains proud.

The values instilled in him during his upbringing — humility, discipline, and respect — remain integral to his identity. “I learned to stay grounded, to watch and learn from the people around me, and to understand that nothing comes without hard work,” he says.

When he arrived in the United States at a young age, these principles became even more vital. “I was entering a completely different environment and had to adapt, work hard, and make the most of every opportunity.”

Salihi’s previous English studies in Kirkuk eased his transition to life in the United States. Living in a diverse community further enriched his understanding of different cultures. “Being around people with different experiences taught me how to communicate with and understand people from all walks of life,” he says.

“I made it a point to take advantage of every opportunity that came my way,” he says, recalling his high school years, when he balanced sports, work, and education. His first job at a fast-food restaurant taught him valuable lessons about responsibility and hard work.

A Calling to Serve

From a young age, Salihi was drawn to law enforcement. He began by joining a local agency as an explorer and later became a cadet, patrolling parks on a bicycle and working downtown while preparing to attend the police academy.

At 20, he also became a U.S. citizen. “It was one of the most meaningful milestones in my life,” he says.

In another incident, Salihi and his partners responded to a situation involving a woman who was being held against her will. “I was able to communicate and negotiate with the suspect, creating an opportunity to distract him and get the woman away from him,” he says. “My partners and I were then able to safely take the suspect into custody and get the woman to safety.”

Leadership and Community Engagement

As Salihi rose through the ranks, community engagement became increasingly important to his work. “I believe that being able to connect with the community, understand people, and build positive relationships played an important role in my growth,” he says.

He views his new position as City Chief Marshal as a responsibility to create a law enforcement agency rooted in professionalism and accountability. “For me, becoming Chief Marshal was not simply another promotion; it was an opportunity to take everything I had learned and use it to build something meaningful,” he says.

Salihi recognizes the significance of his role as a Kurdish man in a leadership position. “I see this as an opportunity to represent my people, my culture, and the values I grew up with,” he says. His experiences as an immigrant also shape his leadership style and his awareness that people from immigrant and diverse communities may not always feel comfortable interacting with law enforcement.

Because of this, he hopes to inspire the next generation of Kurds and immigrants. “When a young Kurdish person sees someone who came from Kurdistan and built a life in the United States, I want them to understand that there are no limits to what they can accomplish,” he says.

Looking ahead, Salihi hopes to be remembered for his impact on the community. “I want to be remembered for the people I helped, the lives I touched, the community I served, and the example I left behind,” he says. He believes that his journey contains a vital lesson: beginnings do not determine endings. “You can come from somewhere far away, face doubts and obstacles, and still build something meaningful with faith, discipline, hard work, and perseverance.”