Several
personnel changes have taken place at the Appalachian State University
Police Department over the past months and more modifications are
imminent University Police Chief Gunther E. Doerr said
Former Lt. Billy Grimes and former Sgt. Jaska H. (Dee Dee) Rominger
both accepted positions with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department
subsequent to the election of Sheriff Mark Shook.
“These are two senior positions,” Doerr said. “Both
have done a good job for us. We hate to see them go but realize
that people have career considerations. They will be missed here,
but we wish them well in the sheriff’s department.”
Grimes, after serving as patrol commander with the University Police,
is now lieutenant of the sheriff’s department’s civil
division.
“The position deals with the courts and civil process,”
Grimes said. “It’s just a career move. I previously served
under Sheriff Lyons here in Watauga [County] before becoming an
Appalachian State officer.”
Rominger was hired as a detective in Shook’s administration,
following a stint as Appalachian’s crime prevention officer.
She is one of three new detectives to join the force.
“I decided to make the move because coming to the sheriff’s
department was an opportunity to advance my career and undertake
investigative work,” Rominger said.
In addition, patrol officer Kevin Aldridge was hired during the
month of November.
“[Aldridge] is currently completing his field-training program,”
Doerr said. “He has previous experience with the North Carolina
Highway Patrol, so we’re certainly glad to have him on staff.”
There are also three ranking positions the department is seeking
to fill on top of several lesser positions.
Doer said he hoped to have all three positions filled by the end
of the month. |
