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Paden City Police Chief Bob Postlethwait retiring

PADEN CITY — The chief of the Paden City Police Department is retiring.

Chief Bob Postlethwait, 57, has submitted his resignation in a letter dated Feb. 15 when he announced his plans to retire, Mayor Joel Davis said.

“I wish him well in his retirement,” Davis said.

Postlethwait was not immediately available for comment.

He was appointed in late March 2016 as police chief in the wake of Joseph Richardson’s termination as police chief. Pending a city council meeting Thursday to approve Postlethwait’s resignation and a vote to advertise for a new chief, his last day will be Feb. 28.

The mayor will oversee the police department until a new chief is hired. Davis said, if necessary, he will have help from area departments during the transition period.

Postlethwait had 22 years of experience with the Tuscaloosa Police Department before he retired as a corporal in 2003. He is certified to serve as a police chief by the state Department of Public Safety.

Postlethwait attended and graduated from Paden City Schools. His father, Greg, was the first Paden City football player to make First Team All-State.

After more than 22 years living in the South, Postlethwait returned to West Virginia in 2007 to raise his family. His son, Robby, graduated from Paden City High School in 2011.

Postlehwait was elected in 2014 as a councilman for the Third Ward. He was chairman of the police committee when he stepped down as a councilman in March.

Postlethwait is the fourth police chief the city has had in less than two years.

Former Police Chief Michael D. Kelly cited health reasons when he resigned in July 2015. Richardson took his place soon after, but was terminated in January. Richardson was suspended by council in October pending the outcome of domestic battery and unlawful restraint charges in Tyler County Magistrate Court.

According to court records, those charges are still pending.

Sgt. Tim Shreve was interim police chief during the transition until Postlethwait was appointed.

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