Williamson Police Chief retires after 20 years of service

WILLIAMSON - Following a 20 year stent with the City of Williamson where he climbed the ladder and moved up through the ranks from a patrolman to the Chief of Police, David Rockel is turning in his badge and retiring to pursue another job opportunity, effective June 30^th.

Rockel joined the Williamson Department in 1993, after relocating back to Mingo County from Fort Myers, Florida, where he was employed as an officer with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department for 7 years. Prior to his employment there, Rockel spent close to 9 years with the City of Logan’s Police Department, which provides him with a high level of knowledge and understanding of what serving the public truly means.

Rockel plans to try to instill these teachings and share his years of experience and knowledge with the officers who are employed with the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department, where he will serve as the Chief Field Deputy under Sheriff Rosie Crum, beginning on Monday, July 1.

Rockel has been employed on a part-time basis with the county through the Prosecuting Attorney Office for several months, holding the title of Drug Task Force Commander. Rockel worked hand in hand and developed a close working relationship as well as a friendship with the late-Sheriff, Eugene Crum.

A few matters that will get the new MCSD Chief Deputy’s immediate attention will be restructuring of the office, including procedural and scheduling issues and redistributing man power to adequately provide 24/7 coverage for the county that will assure that no officer is ever out there alone.