By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – The courageous men and women who dedicate their lives to keep residents safe had their work highlighted and were last week as they celebrated National Police Week. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. The calendar week in which May 15 falls, is set aside as National Police week, and is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community.
The Parsons Police Force includes Chief Bill Rowe and Sgt. David Gidley, who was recently promoted.
“He was doing such a good job we promoted him,” Rowe said. “He is a great officer.”
Rowe said the Parsons Department is small, but said he and Gidley work hard to do what they can to give residents what they need and to assure their safety.
“”I have worked in a few police departments and Parsons is a good little town,” Rowe said. “The people here are good and I enjoy working for them.”
The Tucker County Sheriff’s Department is led by Sheriff Brian Wilfong. Other officers include Chief Deputy Ed Surguy, Deputy Chris Teter, Deputy Chris Donnellson, Deputy Taylor Zirk, Chief Tax Deputy Becky Polomski and Tax Deputy Ruby Kelley.
Wilfong said he has a great staff and said his Department works well together.
“We work well together and work well with other agencies in the county,” Wilfong said. “We are all focused on caring for the community and keeping it safe for the residents.”
Wilfong said the Tucker County Sheriff’s Department is looking into the possibility of getting a K9 unit to help.
“Another way residents could help our department is to have folks step up to the plate and give information about things happening in the area,” Wilfong said. “Too many people say they just don’t want to get involved.”
Tucker County Sargeant C.D. Siler, of the Parsons Detachment of the West Virginia State Police, said his staff works well together to provide care for the residents of Tucker County.
“We are a small county and we have a tight working group that depends on each other,” Siler said. “We also work well with the other agencies in the county.”
Siler said his staff includes Corporal Daniel W. Burge, Corporal J.E. Kopec, Trooper First Class J.J. Schmidle, First Sargeant Kevin Keplinger and Michelle Hebb.
Be sure to offer these officers and support staff a thank you for all they do.
