Sheriff Fell chooses new Chief of Operations

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Vigo County Sheriff Derek Fell has chosen who he wants to be his replacement as Chief of Operations according to a Facebook post Wednesday.

Sheriff Fell has chosen Lt. Jim Palmer to serve in his previous role effective immediately. Chief Jim Palmer has been a resident of Vigo County for 36 years. Chief Palmer has worn many hats in his time with the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office. He started as a corrections officer in 1999, before becoming a Merit Deputy in 2001. Palmer has also served as a part of all 3 patrol shifts, the K-9 Division, Criminal Investigations, The Vigo County Drug Task Force, the Vigo County Criminal Activity Task Force, and was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration as a task force officer. Palmer has even been a member of the Vigo County Emergency Response Team.

The post goes on to say that Chief Palmer has been the Assistant Reserve Coordinator, Assistant Commander of the Vigo County Criminal Activity Team, a supervisor with the Vigo County Drug Task Force, wage committee chairman, a team leader on the Vigo County Drone Team, and recently joined the Honor Gaurd Team and served as Lieutenant of Criminal Investigations prior to his new appointment.

Chief Palmer has received many awards along his career as well. The post on Facebook states that he’s received both the Sheriff’s Distinguished Service Award and Sheriff’s commendation. He earned two homicide unit recognitions and has been an instructor in both traffic stops and less lethal munitions.

Palmer also does plenty of work with the community. He has served on the Vigo County Fair Board, and helped out with Big Brother Big Sister’s Bigs with Badges Program. He is also one of the many first responders to participate in Shop with a Cop each December and serves as a member of Kids Hope.

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