Chief of Police

Shawn Schwertfeger has served as the City of Wheeling, West Virginia’s Chief of Police since June of 2012.

An Ohio Valley native, Chief Schwertfeger graduated from John Marshall High School in 1984 and West Liberty University, where earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice/Business Administration in 1989.

Prior to joining the Wheeling Police Department, Chief Schwertfeger served as a Captain in the Albemarle County, Virginia Police Department, retiring in 2012 after 21-years of service.

During his career in Virginia, he held many assignments including patrol officer, detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. Specific assignments included Crimes Against Persons Unit, SWAT operator and commander, Crisis Negotiations Unit operator and commander and Public Information Officer.

Specific commands included Patrol Divisions, Community Support Division, and Internal Affairs. He retired with the rank of Bureau Commander and was responsible for 120 personnel and 4 divisions.

Chief Schwertfeger is a strong advocate for continuing professional development and is a graduate of the Professional Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond, and a 2009 graduate of the FBI National Academy. 

He holds board memberships with the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association, Appalachia HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) and A Special Wish Ohio Valley Chapter. He previously served on the board of the West Virginia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the Sexual Assault Help Center in Wheeling.

Chief Schwertfeger has been married to his wife for 31 years. Together, they have one daughter.