New Bellville police chief sworn in
BELLVILLE ― A new Bellville police chief was sworn in Friday at the village's bandstand.
Lt. Jon Fletcher moved up the ranks at Bellville Police Department during the 9 a.m. ceremony at the village's bandstand, surrounded by family, friends, residents, members of law enforcement and community leaders.
Bellville police Chief Ron Willey, who officially retires July 31 after 38 years with the department in his hometown in the Clear Fork Valley, was on hand for the ceremony.
Willey, 57, joined the Bellville police Explorers at age 13 and, after graduating from Clear Fork High School in 1984, he went to the police academy at Knox County Career Center before joining the department as a police officer. He's been the police chief since 2001 ― 22½ years.
"It's actually like 44 years I've been with the department," he said. "That's how I got my start.
Who is Jon Fletcher?
Fletcher was joined by his wife, Jennifer, who held the Bible while Mayor Teri Brenkus officiated the swearing in.
The chief and his wife have three sons.
Fletcher's mother Toni Fletcher stood quietly by, proud of her youngest son.
All three of Toni and her late husband Phil Fletcher's sons have dedicated their lives to service.
The new chief's brother Matt works at the Delaware County Sheriff's Office and brother Tom is getting out of the U.S. Air Force after 10 years of service in mid-August.
The chief has worked side-by-side with outgoing chief Willey almost 17 years at the Bellville Police Department. He is a 1993 graduate of Clear Fork High School.
Public service has been part of the Fletcher family's heritage for generations. Jon Fletcher's father served in the military during the Vietnam War. His grandfather served in World War II and his great grandfather served in World War I.
New chief seeks to hire more officers
Jon Fletcher said the police department will continue to run as status quo for now and he plans to work to hire more officers. He said the department, like so many other law enforcement departments locally and nationwide, needs to bolster its ranks.
"I like serving the community," the chief said. "It's a great community down here, probably the best in Richland County."
Fletcher modestly declined to give a speech after being sworn in.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
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Twitter: @lwhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: New Bellville Police Chief Jon Fletcher on the force nearly 17 years
