Crestline council confirms new part-time officer

CRESTLINE - Crestline Village Council unanimously confirmed the hiring of a new part-time police officer Monday.

Trey Hecht, 22, worked as an officer in the Lima area and recently moved to Mansfield to be with his family. His first day with the Crestline Police Department is Tuesday.

"We did an extensive background check and he comes highly recommended from the police where he worked," said Crestline police chief Jeff Shook.

Shook said Hecht worked with the New Bremen and Cridersville police departments.

Shook was appointed interim chief Sept. 17. The village's former chief, Joe Butler, was placed on paid leave Aug. 30 and eventually resigned in November.

More:Shook hired as Crestline police chief; mayor's position discussed

Shook was the New Washington police chief for three years, and his first full day with the Crestline department will be Dec. 18.

Hecht joins seven full-time and four part-time police officers in the department.

In addition to Hecht's hiring, Shook read aloud letters of accommodation to two Crestline police officers from Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall, each dated Nov. 29. 

Officer Travis Jeffers was commended for his handling of the investigation into Wesley Kinkead, who admitted raping two girls and will not be eligible for parole for 50 years. 

"Despite lacking the experience a case like this requires, Officer Jeffers showed excellent decision-making abilities," the letter stated. "As you are well aware, anytime there is a case that warrants a lengthy sentence such as this one, law enforcement often gets even greater scrutiny than normal. Officer Jeffers handled this difficult investigation in a professional and thorough manner."

More:Crestline man sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for raping girls, 5 and 11

Officer Jason Kitzmiller was commended for his leadership while he was "officer in charge" of the police department before acting police chief Jeff Shook was hired and after former police chief Joe Butler was placed on leave. 

Shook said each letter was placed in the respective officer's personnel file.

mtrombly@gannett.com

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Twitter: @MonroeTrombly