Saturday, December 28th, 2024
St. Marys swears in new police chief, sergeant
By William Kincaid
ST. MARYS - Long-serving councilwoman Robin Willoughby will resign from office on Jan 1, due to health issues, St. Marys City Council members learned at their meeting on Thursday.
Willoughby, a Democrat, has represented the Fourth Ward for over 20 years. Her current term expires Dec. 31, 2025.
Mayor Jospeh Hurlburt Jr. read a statement he said he received from Auglaize Democratic Party Chairman Rodney Metz. The party's central commitee is accepting applications from eligible residents to fill the one-year vacancy.
The central commitee will make the appointment when they convene at 5 p.m. Jan. 6 at the St. Marys Community Public Library.
Council members at a meeting on Oct. 13, 2014, unanimously approved naming a wooded portion of the Fourth Ward "Willoughby Woods." The name honors the Willoughby family, who have resided in St. Marys for about 100 years.
"She's diligently fought to help that part of the city in the most constructive ways," then mayor Patrick McGowan said at the time about Robin Willoughby. "It's very historical ground down there."
Her father, Vernon Willoughby, also served as a Fourth Ward councilman for two terms from 1962-65, he said.
"I think it's a great tribute, too. I think it plays into your family heritage and what your family has done for that ward," then council member Todd Fleagle said.
Councilors on Thursday night also watched as Hurlburt administered the oath of office to new police chief Brian Christopher and new police sergeant Charles Eberle.
Christopher, a Memorial High School graduate, was first hired as a St. Marys police patrolman in 2003, completed his Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training in March 2004, and then was promoted to sergeant in November 2015. He also earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Ohio Northern University.
Christopher had served as the interim chief following the retirement of former police chief Jake Sutton in October.
"I am honored and humbled to serve as the city's next chief of police," Christopher said in a city news release. "I look forward to leading the department and continuing to serve the city."
Hurlburt said he and city officials are excited to welcome Christopher as chief.
"With 21 years of experience in law enforcement, Chief Christopher brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and leadership that will serve our department and our city well," Hurlburt said in the release. "We are confident that under Chief Christopher's leadership, our police department will continue to grow stronger and be more responsive to the needs of our community."
Eberle replaced Christopher as the department's sergeant, safety/service director Greg Foxhoven said.
Eberle has been with the department for around eight years as a patrolman, and comes from a long line of law enforcement, Foxhoven added. Eberle's father, grandfather and uncle are all retired area law enforcement officials.
"Both men are top notch officers who are committed to our community and have served with distinction," Foxhoven said. "I'm very proud of them."
Both officers underwent a written exam and assessment center exercises during the promotion process.
