Heavrin is new Floyd County Police chief

By CHRIS MORRIS
Chris.Morris@newsandtribune.com

— The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department will have a new chief beginning in 2007.

Ted Heavrin, a 30-year veteran of the force, will assume the chief duties Jan. 1.

Current Chief Frank Loop will return to his merit rank of lieutenant and be in charge of first shift, according to sheriff-elect Darrell Mills.

Heavrin, a captain on the force, is currently third in command. He said he is excited about his new duties.

“I have held every rank within the department,” Heavrin said. “I have always treated people the way I would want to be treated. If you do that, you won’t have any problems.”

Heavrin is finishing his 16th year on the Floyd County Council. He was seeking a fifth term, but was defeated in the May primary by Tom Pickett. He said his knowledge of county government and finances should help him as chief.

Mills agrees.

“I think his experience on the council is a plus,” Mills said. “I have worked with him my entire career.

“We have a young department and we need someone with his experience. He will be a good community asset.”

Mills said he had some outside interest in the job, but wanted to promote someone within the department.

“I wanted someone with knowledge of the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department,” he said.

Heavrin, 65, said he told Mills he would give it everything he had as chief as long as he remained healthy. Mills, a Democrat, defeated Loop by 434 votes in the November election. He said Loop did a good job as chief.

“He has been very cordial in this transition. He has been very cooperative,” Mills said. “I have no ax to grind with him. We have worked together for many years.

“We will continue to utilize his experience. He is definitely an asset to the department.”

Read more on the transition to Sheriff Darrell Mills' administration at the New Albany Tribune.