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Rockwell Police Department History
Our History... The Rockwell Police Department as it is now known was officially started in July of 1979 after the Town had received an L.E.A.A. grant to fund an officer and a patrol vehicle. With this funding, a new 1979 Ford LTD II Patrol Car was purchased. An officer was hired by the sheriff and would be a sworn Deputy assigned to Rockwell He would be supervised by the Sheriff's Department chain of command under Sheriff John Stirewalt. The first officer hired was Roderick J. Lapham who served from July 1979 till April 1981. David Holyfield served from May 1981 till July 1983. Clyde Adams was assigned as a Special Deputy to assist David Holyfield in Sept. 1982 on a volunteer basis. James Rary served from August 1983 till June 1984. After some confusion about duties and responsibilities, Rockwell abandoned the Sheriff's Agreement and started their own Auxiliary Police Department in July of 1984, headed by Chief James L. "Jim" Bost. This started out as an all volunteer agency, with Chief Bost and 3 reserve officers serving the Town of Rockwell. Chief Bost served the town until he resigned due to health reasons in 1996. At that time, Sheriff Martin was asked to again assume the
duties of Law Enforcement in Rockwell. This was done with Special
Deputies doing volunteer patrols on weekends for several years, being
supervised by Special Deputy Lieutenants James Jones, George Cress, and
Hugh Bost Jr. In October of 1998, the Town or Rockwell officially
hired "off-duty" deputies to provide more patrols during the
weekdays and continued police activities under the sheriff's agreement. Dedication of our Facility.... Chief Bost passed away on March 30, 1997. On
May 23, 1999, the Town of Rockwell dedicated the Rockwell Police
Department facility and renamed it the Jim L. Bost Law Enforcement Center in
memory of Jim and the commitment which he had given to his town and community.
Jim was very instrumental in the startup of the police department and its
relocation to the present facility back in 1994. For more information click
here. In February 2001, Hugh Bost, Jr. was hired as a Full-Time Sheriff's Deputy that was assigned to the Town of Rockwell. This continued until September 2001, when Rockwell Police Department was reestablished as a municipal police department and Hugh Bost, Jr. was sworn as the Chief of Police. At that time, Rockwell began the investigation of traffic crashes within our municipal limits. Rockwell utilized a sheriff's agreement utilizing off-duty deputies as officer and provides the sheriff the use of Rockwell Police Dept. as a satellite office in Rockwell for eastern Rowan County.
Chief Bost, K-9 Rambo and Vehicle 322
On October 20, 2002, Rockwell received a grant award from North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program to fund a new patrol vehicle, all included equipment, and the officer's salary and benefits. This was a 3 year grant which will decrease gradually. This equipment and funding is to be used to help make our streets and highway safer in Rockwell. After the grant expired in 2005, Officer Benfield was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant and to assist Chief Bost with supervisory duties, and daily operations of the department. In April 2007, Sgt. G. R. Phillips was hired to fill a vacancy left by Sgt. Benfield. Sgt Phillips has over 15 years experience in law enforcement and holds certifications in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Chemical Analysis for Alcohol, D.C.I. Operator, Radar Operator Certification, and is certified as a General Instructor and Firearms Instructor. Sgt. G. R.
Phillips and
Vehicle 321
On September 4, 2002, Rockwell was awarded a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing, to fund a second full time officer. This officer will assist in the daily patrol duties and provide additional law enforcement coverage for our town. This grant position had been filled by Officer J. R. Davis, B. S. Watson and M. J. File who have joined other agencies. This position is presently filled by Officer S. K. Plummer. The vehicle operated by Officer Plummer was funded by the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program along with the equipment., This equipment is still being used to help make our streets and highway safer in Rockwell. Officer S. K.
Plummer and Car 324
On September 4, 2004, Rockwell hired another patrol officer, and funded the patrol vehicle, equipment, and salary. This position was filled by Officer Shuffler who worked this position until being reassigned to to a traffic position in January 2007. This position vacated position was then filled by Officer J A Miller, a reserve officer who was hired as a full-time officer. This addition provided a total of four full-time personnel to provide 24 hour coverage to our community. At this same time, 5 part-time patrol officers were also hired to fill-in during vacation, court, and sick leave of the full-time officers. Officer J. A. Miller and
Vehicle 325
In October 2004, Rockwell received a military surplus 4 wheel drive diesel pickup truck to be used for off-road operations, narcotic investigations, pickup and recovery of property, and patrol during inclement weather conditions. The vehicle was refurbished by the inmates at Piedmont Correctional Facility for the police department at no cost as part of their rehabilitation program. Officer T. R. Shaver and
Vehicle 329 . In October 2006, Rockwell was awarded a Special Traffic Safety Grant from North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program which funded a traffic safety vehicle and Officer for our agency. It consists of a grant that decreases over the 3 year period and funds 100% of the officer the first year and 75% of the equipment. Officer P. N. Shuffler was promoted to this position, due to his experience, skills, qualifications and training. His previous patrol position was filled by Officer P. N. Shuffler. Officer Shuffler and
GHSP Vehicle 326
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