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Gretna names new police chief
By ANDREW BOWLER/Star-Tribune Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 9:45 AM EDT
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David Wilkes
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GRETNA - The Town of Gretna will have a new police chief beginning in July.
Monday, Gretna Town Council approved Chief W.C. Quarles' retirement and the appointment of Gretna Officer David Wilkes as the new chief.
Both were approved unanimously.
Wilkes, 34, has been a Gretna policeman for six years.
"He's a good officer and I think he'll make an excellent chief," Quarles, 58, said.
Wilkes is also Quarles' son-in-law.
Gretna Town Council approved Wilkes' salary to start at $37,000.
Quarles has been the chief in Gretna since 2003.
He will take his remaining vacation days from now until the end of the month, but will appear in court when needed.
"I enjoy sleeping in every morning pretty good," Quarles laughed.
Quarles' retirement will be short-lived, as he will begin serving as a bailiff in Danville's federal court in August.
"Once you're in law enforcement, it's tough to hang your guns up," he said.
Quarles had also worked as a Virginia state trooper for 30 years and as a military policeman in the Air Force for four years.
"I'll probably never retire completely," he said. "I have to be doing something."
Quarles admits he will miss his time in Gretna.
"I enjoyed it very much," he said. "Gretna is a nice town and I enjoyed the people I worked with. It was a nice experience."
However, the chief says the office will be in good hands.
"David is a very good investigator," he said.
Gretna also employs officers Steve Wilkerson and John Hewitt.
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From Chatham wrote on Jun 18, 2008 10:53 AM: