RPD Chief announces officer and K9 win seven awards at K9 Olympics

August 28, 2024 at 1:12 p.m.
Rushville Police Department Chief Tucker shared Andy Parmerlee and K9 Reese win seven awards at the K9 Olympics.
Rushville Police Department Chief Tucker shared Andy Parmerlee and K9 Reese win seven awards at the K9 Olympics. (Photo Provided)


The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City met on Aug. 20 and discussed resignations, new RCHS Pathway Programs and department head reports. Mayor Mike Pavey, Gary Cameron, Brad Berkemeier, Phil King and Maria Bridges were present. 

Resignations

Chief Tucker announced the resignation of Joe Purcell.  His last day will be Sept. 1.  The BOW approved the resignation.

Chief Justice announced a letter of resignation from Derrick Justice.  His last day will be Sept. 1.  Berkemeier moved to approve the resignation.  King seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  

Department head 

reports

Police

Chief Tucker has reported that the department is currently conducting dispatch interviews and the response has been overwhelming.

Officer Andy Parmerlee and K-9 Reese went to Denver, Indiana, to participate in the K9 Olympics.  Together, they won seven awards.   

Tucker shared he will be attending a drone search and rescue class.  

Fire

The fire department’s tower truck is back at the station but has yet to be fixed as the parts have not come in. It will be taken back for completion when they arrive. 

Justice asked for permission to reevaluate a candidate he recently interviewed. Berkemeier made a motion to approve Justice to reevaluate the candidate.  Cameron seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

Berkemeier then moved to allow Justice to re-open the application process if this candidate does not work out.

Bridges seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

Street

The periodic levee pipe inspection has started.  The Army Corps requires the inspection.   

The street department received an update from INDOT regarding the road closure on U.S. 52 West.  It is still projected to open by Nov. 20.

Animal 

Hanna reported that they have been working on social media posts to help aid in pet adoptions.

Microchipping will be offered at Tractor Supply on Aug. 31. 

Park

The department is working on giving a couple of the park bathrooms a facelift.   

Planning /Zoning/Code Enforcement 

Another home is being built at 1515 Monroe Court. 

Jeremy Green, Chief Justice and Copley went to Diamond and participated in a monthly Fire Life Safety Walk. 

Copley attended a conference focusing on downtown housing, streetscapes and revitalization in Jasper.

Other things

 discussed 

The grain elevator demolition is complete, monitoring is taking place, and the project is awaiting the state’s final closeout. The fire department is waiting to receive a quote on garage construction. The Owner Occupied (OOR) Grant application has been submitted.  Grants will be awarded Sept. 24.   

Chief Tucker, the Public Safety Committee president, shared that the high school’s new pathway program is going well. Fire/rescue has six students, EMS has seven students and the law department has 20-25 students interning.

Commissioner Land asked permission to purchase a rear load Freightliner for $198,168. Cameron motioned to give a favorable recommendation to the city council for the purchase.  Bridges seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City met on Aug. 20 and discussed resignations, new RCHS Pathway Programs and department head reports. Mayor Mike Pavey, Gary Cameron, Brad Berkemeier, Phil King and Maria Bridges were present. 

Resignations

Chief Tucker announced the resignation of Joe Purcell.  His last day will be Sept. 1.  The BOW approved the resignation.

Chief Justice announced a letter of resignation from Derrick Justice.  His last day will be Sept. 1.  Berkemeier moved to approve the resignation.  King seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  

Department head 

reports

Police

Chief Tucker has reported that the department is currently conducting dispatch interviews and the response has been overwhelming.

Officer Andy Parmerlee and K-9 Reese went to Denver, Indiana, to participate in the K9 Olympics.  Together, they won seven awards.   

Tucker shared he will be attending a drone search and rescue class.  

Fire

The fire department’s tower truck is back at the station but has yet to be fixed as the parts have not come in. It will be taken back for completion when they arrive. 

Justice asked for permission to reevaluate a candidate he recently interviewed. Berkemeier made a motion to approve Justice to reevaluate the candidate.  Cameron seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

Berkemeier then moved to allow Justice to re-open the application process if this candidate does not work out.

Bridges seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

Street

The periodic levee pipe inspection has started.  The Army Corps requires the inspection.   

The street department received an update from INDOT regarding the road closure on U.S. 52 West.  It is still projected to open by Nov. 20.

Animal 

Hanna reported that they have been working on social media posts to help aid in pet adoptions.

Microchipping will be offered at Tractor Supply on Aug. 31. 

Park

The department is working on giving a couple of the park bathrooms a facelift.   

Planning /Zoning/Code Enforcement 

Another home is being built at 1515 Monroe Court. 

Jeremy Green, Chief Justice and Copley went to Diamond and participated in a monthly Fire Life Safety Walk. 

Copley attended a conference focusing on downtown housing, streetscapes and revitalization in Jasper.

Other things

 discussed 

The grain elevator demolition is complete, monitoring is taking place, and the project is awaiting the state’s final closeout. The fire department is waiting to receive a quote on garage construction. The Owner Occupied (OOR) Grant application has been submitted.  Grants will be awarded Sept. 24.   

Chief Tucker, the Public Safety Committee president, shared that the high school’s new pathway program is going well. Fire/rescue has six students, EMS has seven students and the law department has 20-25 students interning.

Commissioner Land asked permission to purchase a rear load Freightliner for $198,168. Cameron motioned to give a favorable recommendation to the city council for the purchase.  Bridges seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

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