WINONA LAKE - Brad Kellar will replace Paul Heaton as a Winona Lake Police Department deputy marshal.
Winona Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks swore in Kellar Friday. Kellar's employment is effective Sunday.
The council Friday approved a resolution to waive the beginning wage of 80 percent and to set Kellar's wage at 90 percent of the deputy marshal base wage at $1,472.77 bi-weekly for six months.
During the council's meeting Tuesday, Winona Lake Town Marshal Paul Schmitt recommended the department hire Kellar to replace Heaton.
Heaton's last day at Winona Police Department is today, and he will begin his duties at Warsaw Police Department Monday. Heaton, Winona Lake, served on the Winona Lake Police Department for seven years.
The council Tuesday tabled approving the recommendation to hire Kellar as a Winona Lake Police Department officer to replace Heaton.
The council wanted more time to discuss the issue before taking action.
The council met in executive session Friday morning to discuss the personnel issue before a public meeting Friday afternoon.
The vote to hire Kellar was 3-2 with council members Jim Lancaster, Joy Lohse and Randy Swanson voting in favor of hiring Kellar. Councilwoman Sue Gooding and Town Council President Terry Howie voted against hiring Kellar.
Gooding and Howie expressed concerns during Tuesday's meeting about the council needing to consider the town's budget when deciding whether or not to replace Heaton.
"There are people who were supportive of hiring Brad and others who were not supportive, and I felt it was important for those who were not supportive of hiring Brad to be given a voice," Gooding said.Kellar said he is honored to serve Winona Lake Police Department.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to serve Winona Lake faithfully and professionally, and it feels good to be back doing a job that I love to do," Kellar said.
Kellar attended Tuesday's meeting with his wife, Amy.
Kellar was dismissed from his duties at WPD Nov. 7 after violating protocol set forth by department policies.
Schmitt said he looked into the issue and said he was convinced that Kellar would be an asset to the Winona Lake Police Department.
Schmitt said the department received several applications to fill Heaton's position and nine candidates were selected for interviews.
"I think the town will be happy with their choice and Brad will prove everything I said he can do," Schmitt said. "He is head and shoulders over everyone else I interviewed."
Kellar is a Grace College graduate and volunteered for the Winona Lake Fire Department for 10 years.
