LINTON POLICE
Jerrell named Linton police chief
By Halea Franklin, staff writer
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Linton Mayor Tom Jones announced this morning a major appointment within the
city.
Troy Jerrell, who's served as a lieutenant detective within the Linton Police
Department since 2002, was promoted to LPD chief.
The chief post became available when former chief Keith McDonald was demoted
May 3 - just one day after he lost the Democrat Party's nomination for sheriff.
As mayor of the city of
In the time Mr. Jerrell has been on the force, he has met many different
people and has worked many interesting and important cases which gave him the
privilege of helping people by service to the department, Jones said.
Jerrell began as a dispatcher at the Linton Police Department from 1994-95.
From 1995-96, he served as a deputy marshal with the Worthington Police
Department. Jerrell was hired as a police officer with the LPD in 1996 by
then-chief Jack Watson. In 2001, he was promoted to sergeant detective by
then-chief McDonald. In 2002, McDonald appointed Jerrell to lieutenant
detective.
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That promotion made Lt. Det.
Jerrell second in charge of the police department since our police department
no longer has an assistant chief position, Jones said.
As lieutenant detective, Jones said, Jerrell has served as the lead
investigator in all deaths in the Linton area, along with working several
homicides.
He was instrumental in solving the case - Petro Tire
building fire - which encompassed two of the larger buildings in the downtown
area, which had a loss cost estimate of over $1 million, Jones said.
Jerrell is excited about his appointment as chief of police.
It feels real good, he said. It's a big accomplishment for me. I feel like
I've worked my way up here.
It's something I've always wanted to do. I think that most people eventually
want to obtain a position where they can do things their way and try things. I
feel like Tom has given me the opportunity to do that.
The new chief said he's looking forward to his new position. He said there's a few changes he's going to make, but chose not to
elaborate on them.
However, he said, I feel like it's a big accomplishment to try these out and
see how they work. I think they're going to work good.
Today, the annual Freedom Festival, which is one of the city's biggest events,
kicks off.
We're still going to have the same coverage if not more than we've had in the
past, he said, noting that officers will be at the carnival, in the park and
at the parade. I'm looking forward to the holiday, the parade. I'm hoping, and
I believe everything will go well on that. We've been planning on it for a
while ... we've had a plan in the works for a month now or longer.
Jones commended Jerrell for his many qualifications, which include:
Graduated from the
Certified as a Data Master Operator through the
Certified as an Indiana Data and Communications System (IDACS) operator
through the Indiana State Police.
Completed more than 40 hours of training in hostage negotiations.
Is an expert witness in forensic psychophysiology.
Completed numerous hours in homicide and domestic investigations.
Certified as an instructor by the
Graduated from the
Completed Response to Critical Incident Training.
Has numerous training hours in domestic abuse, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS), hazmat, firearms and other areas.
You as citizens could not ask for a finer, honest, decent, more dedicated
young man to take over this Linton Police Department as police chief. He will
serve the city and its citizens to the very best of his ability, and we all
should be proud to welcome Mr. Troy Jerrell as I appoint him the new police
chief for the Linton Police Department.