Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 6, 1994 TAG: 9407060046
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Pulaski Town Council voted unanimously for Cooley's appointment at Tuesday's meeting.
Cooley will succeed E.J. ``Joe'' Williams, who took disability retirement May 1 from an old leg injury. Assistant Chief Barry Buckner has been in charge of the department.
Cooley began his law enforcement career in North Carolina, with police departments in High Point and Greensboro. He has been with the Wythe County Sheriff's Office for about 15 years.
He holds an associate of arts degree in behavioral sciences and a bachelor's degree in administration of justice from Guilford (N.C.) College, and a master's in criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has completed many police training courses and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy at Quantico.
``My family and I are looking forward to moving here. We won't be outsiders for long,'' he told council.
Cooley, who has experience in many facets of police work, said he knew council expected hard work and dedication from him and that he would expect it from members of his department.
Cooley was an unsuccessful candidate for circuit court clerk in Wythe County a few years ago, running on the Republican ticket.
The appointment followed a five-minute closed session of council requested by new Mayor Andy Graham.
Afterward, Graham told Cooley that council had conducted background checks on a number of applicants and ``the information we have on you is just super and great.''
Council has been interviewing applicants at 7 a.m. executive sessions for several months.
by CNB