Bellville police Chief Ron Willey plans to retire after 38 years

BELLVILLE ― Bellville police Chief Ron Willey is retiring July 31 after 38 years with the department in his hometown in the Clear Fork Valley.

Willey, 57, joined the Bellville police Explorers at age 13 and, after graduating from Clear Fork High School in 1984, he went to the police academy at Knox County Career Center before joining the department as a police officer. He's been the police chief since 2001 ― 22½ years.

"It's actually like 44 years I've been with the department," he said. "That's how I got my start.

"When I started here we had two cars," he said. The police department operated part time. There are now six full time officers including himself, four to five part-time officers and two auxiliary. The department has six cars which serve the community of about 2,000.

Willey proud of department having SRO in Bellville School

Willey has enjoyed his time with the Bellville Police Department, saying he wouldn't change a thing.

His parents, Don Willey and Judy Ackerman, moved from Noble County to Mansfield before he was born. The chief was born at Mansfield General Hospital and his father moved here to work at Ideal Electric roughly 40 years. He's lived in the village all his life.

His mother survives.

The oldest of three children, Willey said his parents were always very supportive of his desire at a young age to be in law enforcement. He stayed with the Explorers program all through high school.

Modestly, Willey said of his career, "It's been a good run."

He said he's proud of the fact that the Bellville School has a school resource officer from the department. The new police department was built in 2007, formerly a little, tiny office at Village Hall.

One of his favorite parts of the job has been to focus on youth. He said he enjoys talking to the elementary kids who call out his name and reach out for hugs.

"Investing in the kids, that's been my focus," he said, as he noted that Safety Town will be held in July again this year.

"Safety Town is where I start with them and I've always done that and build that rapport right there. I can go over to that school any day and walk through the halls and they all come running for hugs. That's what makes it all worthwhile. Too many times you have kids who only see police and it's a bad situation or something bad is happening in their environment. ... To have them trust the police is a good thing."

The village has grown and is expanding at Interstate 71 and Ohio 97, with the future set to bring a new $22 million sports complex near Love's Truck Stop and a Holiday Inn Express by the Buckeye Diner.

"Our interstate gives us a cross cut of everything because we have Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, all the places that are traveling through there. It's kind of unique down here because we can go from 'Norman Rockwell-type' downtown street to major inner city at the interstate at any given time," Willey said.

Chief Willey is looking forward to relaxing

Willey said he has enjoyed the people and the community, and he believes his motto of treating people how you want to be treated has worked for him.

He's hoping to relax after working 22½ years and being on call 24/7 as chief.

He is considering taking another position in the village and still plans to help out with maintenance at the Bellville Cemetery, something he has done for the past 12 years.

He has a camper at Pleasant Hill Lake Park and likes to hunt. He likes to walk but like many people, finds it difficult to carve out time in his daily schedule.

He said he's not sure who will be the next chief. Village officials will interview candidates from within the department and also go outside the village to consider applicants if needed.

Willey said he's not planning to leave his hometown.

He has his mother, siblings, three grown children, two granddaughters and two dogs, all of whom he loves a great deal. He added that he is dating a woman who has a great dog.

Bellville chief loves his hometown

"There is nothing like the Valley and it is home. There are so many memories that I will treasure from working and growing up here. Many lifelong friends have been made," he said.

He said he wished to thank all the residents for their support that he has received during his tenure.

"I have worked for several mayors, council members, administrators and with fellow employees over the years, far too many to mention them all," he said. "Through it all, I have always felt the support of the community and am proud to have been given this opportunity."

An emotional Willey said he has always appreciated the support he and the police department have received not only from the residents of Bellville but the entire Clear Fork Valley.

"I have always felt the support for the department and they are always there to assist in projects and community events. One of my biggest passions was developing a 501(c)3 nonprofit called the Bellville Chiefs Giving Hand. It was created to give back to the community and one of the ways of doing that was providing Christmas for families that need a helping hand during the holidays. The community has supported that to the point we now are able to assist throughout the year if there becomes a need," he added.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: 'It's been a good run': Bellville police Chief Ron Willey retiring