Carl L. Powell II, center, was sworn in Monday as Vienna’s new police chief. At left is retiring Vienna Police Chief Mike Pifer and at right is Mayor Randy Rapp. (Photo Provided)

VIENNA — A new police chief was sworn in Monday to lead the Vienna Police Department.

In a ceremony in the Vienna City Council Chambers, Mayor Randy Rapp swore in new chief Carl L. Powell II to replace retiring chief Mike Pifer.

Powell was born and raised in Wood County, attending Williamstown schools until his sophomore year and then transferring to Marietta Christian School where he graduated in 1993.

He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1995. While serving, he was assigned to special duty at Andrews Air Force Base and served as part of the support for Air Force One, including loading the President’s limousines and Secret Service vehicles on aircrafts.

He separated from the USAF in March 2005 and joined the Vienna Police Department in April. In the years since, he has served on the Vienna Special Response Team (2005-2018), Wood County Crash Team (2005-2018), Detective Bureau (2015-2018), Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force (2021-2024). He was chosen as Officer of the Year in 2016 and 2018.

Pifer announced his retirement ahead of the regularly scheduled Vienna City Council meeting on April 11, at which time Powell was introduced as his successor.