Wells sworn in as new VW police officer

Van Wert independent/VWPD information

It’s been a long time coming, but that just made the moment even more sweet as Dispatch/Reserve Officer Bryon D. Wells was sworn in Thursday by Mayor Louis Ehmer as a full-time Van Wert police officer. The ceremony was held in Van Wert City Council Chambers.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Wells said, noting that he has wanted to be a police officer ever since he job-shadowed Officers Tim and Greg Blackmore when he was in seventh grade.

Officer Well’s appointment will fill one of the department’s vacancies and will move the department closer to its authorized staffing levels.

Wells began his law enforcement career as a corrections officer at the Van Wert County Correctional Facility in 2001. He was hired by the Van Wert Police Department in May 2006 as a dispatcher and then in October 2006 became a dispatch/reserve officer prior to accepting the position as a full-time officer.

Officer Wells and his wife, Stephanie, live in Van Wert with their daughter, Alyssa.

Police Chief Joel Hammond opened the ceremony by welcoming those who came to see Wells’ swearing-in.

“It’s great to have family and friends here today … co-workers .. and members of the administration to welcome Bryon into this new chapter of his career,” Chief Hammond said.

The police chief also gave new Officer Wells his first official orders as a full-time officer, noting that he would begin his first official day as an officer on September 11, starting at 7 a.m. Officer Wells will be on first shift for about a month, and will then move into the regular officer rotation.