West Jefferson names new chief

West Jefferson has hired a veteran Grove City police sergeant to be its next police chief.

Sgt. Richard Hardy, 47, will be sworn in on March 12, said Mayor Ray Martin, who selected Hardy on Monday from 10 applicants. He will replace Terry Ward, who retired after a 33-year career, his last five as chief, in the Madison County village.

Ward’s retirement ended any investigation into his suspension in November. Ward, 61, was placed on administrative leave by Martin, who has said only that the paid leave was “pending review of a situation brought to my attention.”Ward has said that his paid leave “was not done properly,” noting the incident prompting the action was “not a workplace issue” and was related to something “very innocent” posted on his personal Facebook page.

Some village council members had questioned five years ago whether Ward’s personal Facebook page, which included police incidents, statistics and other public information, violated a village rule against linking village business and social media.

Hardy, who has 27 years in law enforcement, is about to retire from the Grove City department, according to an employee who works there in police administration.

Martin cited Hardy’s personality, extensive community policing skills and his masters degree in criminal justice administration among the attributes that will fit the village of about 4,200. He will be paid $73,000, Martin said.

Hardy did not return calls for comment Wednesday.