The Leitchfield Police Department recently added three new officers to its ranks, and one officer with over 20 years of experience, as well promoted a patrolman who has won two law enforcement agencies’ officer of the year award.
The three law enforcement rookies to join LPD are Taylor Wright, Hunter Miller and Ty Whitaker.
Chuck Hoover comes to LPD after serving as a law enforcement officer for 22 years in Georgia and western Kentucky.
DJ Newton, a former patrolman for LPD, was recently promoted to sergeant after receiving numerous accolades for his work protecting and serving the citizens of Grayson County.
Taylor Wright
Wright is a 27-year-old native of Grayson County. He graduated from Grayson County High School in 2015, where he played football. He was a track and field athlete as well.
Wright graduated Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
He comes to LPD via the Grayson County Detention Center where he was employed from 2020-2022 and served on the Special Response Team. Wright completed Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) Basic Training in October 2022.
Hunter Miller
Miller is a 22-year-old resident of Grayson County where he has lived for 19 years. Born in Crystal City, Missouri, Miller grew up in Grayson County where he graduated from GCHS in 2018. A student-athlete, he competed in baseball for three years.
Miller enlisted in the Army National Guard after his high school graduation and received an assignment as a Military Police Officer. He remains an enlisted man and spent almost a year assisting Border Patrol officers on the U.S. southern border.
He is an avid outdoorsman and above all else, he said enjoys spending time with his wife and son.
Miller completed DOCJT Basic Training in December 2022.
Ty Whitaker
Whitaker is a 24-year-old resident of Grayson County and GCHS graduate. He achieved an Associate’s Degree in Business Management after graduation.
He served as a Grayson County Detention Center Deputy Jailer from 2020-2022, where he was also a member of the Special Response Team.
Whitaker said he was inspired to enter law enforcement by his late grandfather, Bob Whitaker, a retired KSP Water Patrol Officer.
Whitaker completed DOCJT Basic Training in December 2022.
Chuck Hoover
Hoover is a 22-year law enforcement veteran who began his career with the Cobb County Police Department in Marietta, Georgia. He returned to his childhood home in Crittenden County in 2004 where he served with the Marion Police Department and Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office.
Hoover now resides in Breckenridge County with his wife of 22 years, Randi, and their three children.
“Chuck brings years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to Leitchfield Police Department,” LPD Det. Sgt. Ian Renfrow said.
DJ Newton
Newton was promoted to sergeant in January 2023 in only his eighth year in law enforcement.
He began his career in 2015, a year after graduating from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Forestry, when he joined LPD. He graduated from DOCJT Basic Training in September 2016.
Newton also served with the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office where he was voted Deputy of the Year in 2018. Three years later, after leaving the sheriff’s office for LPD, he was named LPD Officer of the Year in 2021.
Newton, who prides himself on removing impaired drivers from Grayson County roadways, won the Governor’s Impaired Driving Enforcement award in 2020 and 2021.
Newton has also been tasked with serving as LPD’s Evidence Technician and a Field Training Officer.
He is originally from Bullitt County.
(Headline photo l-r: Sgt. DJ Newton, Officer Taylor Wright)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
