The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has named Mountain View Police Chief Terry Rutledge as its chief park ranger, said Jon Brown, operations manager for the State Parks Division.
Rutledge, 37, replaces Chief Ranger Jerry Digman of Roland, who was fatally shot at his home Jan. 5. His wife, Pamela Digman, was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting.
Brown said Monday that Rutledge was chosen from about 50 who applied for the position, which entails overseeing law enforcement and emergency management operations at all state parks.Of those 50, seven were interviewed, Brown said.
“We had very qualified candidates, but Terry came out ahead in emergency management,” Brown said. “He’s worked with the [Arkansas] state police and the [Arkansas] National Guard, and he’s received extensive training in firefighting. All these are essential with the state parks.”
Rutledge, a native of Walnut Ridge, served as the Mountain View police chief in Stone County since 2011. He has worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as the lead firefighting crew chief at Fort Roots in North Little Rock, and he was a state police trooper assigned to Troop F in Warren and Troop I in Harrison.
Rutledge served seven years of active duty with the U.S. Air Force and since 2004 has been with the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Rutledge was attending training classes Monday and did not immediately return a telephone message.
“I really hate to lose him,” Mountain View Mayor Ron Sterling said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better chief.
“I tried to talk him out of leaving,” Sterling said. “We were fortunate to have him. The parks department is fortunate to get him, too.”
Sterling named police officer B.J. Day as the interim Mountain View police chief. He said City Council will meet tonight to discuss hiring a permanent chief.
Brown said as chief ranger, Rutledge’s duties will include implementing law enforcement policies and procedures among the more than 100 park rangers across the state, evaluating performance, recruiting and conducting special investigations into criminal conduct.
He will also assist Brown in managing emergency response programs and training in first aid, search-and-rescue and firefighting techniques.
“We’re pleased with his enthusiasm on how to deal with people,” Brown said of Rutledge. “He did a good job of communicating in Mountain View. Education comes first for our park visitors, and Terry will do great with informing them.
“He seems to be a perfect fit for us,” Brown said. “We’re tickled to have him.”
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 04/08/2014