PARKERSBURG - Sgt. L.D. Kearns has been selected as the lead defense techniques instructor for the Wood County Sheriff's Office's uniform operations and the major crimes unit, said Sheriff Jeff Sandy.
Kearns was also assigned to be the assistant firearms instructor. Kearns became an instructor for Washington State Community College's Peace Officer Basic Academy. Kearns has attended 304 hours of specialized training in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, Sandy said.
Kearns has been with the Wood County Sheriff's Office since 1995 when he began working as a corrections officer. In 1997, he became a deputy sheriff assigned to uniform operations.
Article Photos
Photo Provided
Sgt. L.D. Kearns is a deputy with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
Kearns is one of the original SWAT team members since its creation in 2005. Kearns' specialty on the team is sniper. Kearns was promoted to sergeant in 2011, and is a night shift uniform operations patrol supervisor.
He has completed the National Rifle Association's Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor Course.
Actively competing in local, state and regional shooting events, Kearns is ranked as Master by the Glock Shooting Sports Foundation. He has competed in four multi-gun or three-gun events in 2012, taking two first-place titles, a second place and a third place.
To succeed in a multi-gun event, the shooter must be proficient with handgun, rifle and shotgun.
