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 and the Family Violence Prevention Program with the YWCA in Wheeling. 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 30 years. Together, they have one daughter.

Deputy Chief William Noice
Patrol Operations Commander

Deputy Chief William Noice serves as the patrol operations commander for the Wheeling Police Department.

Prior to joining the police department in October 1999, Deputy Chief Noice served in the United States Marine Corps and continues to serve with the West Virginia Army National Guard and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During his time at the Wheeling Police Department, Deputy Chief Noice worked as a patrol officer, shift supervisor and had the opportunity to serve as a “Fellowship Officer” at the West Virginia State Police Academy.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Chief in February 2020, he served as the training coordinator for the department. He ensured all officers of the Wheeling Police Department meets or exceed their required annual in-service training hours, submits proof of training attended out of the area, and attempts to bring training to the local area.

His other duties have included being a member of the SWAT team since 2002, and a Firearms Instructor since 2005. Deputy Chief Noice also has been trained as a bicycle officer, field training officer, marine unit boat operator and qualified as a hazmat technician.

He graduated from the FBI Academy, a prestigious training for law enforcement in June 2018.

Deputy Chief Ken Prager
Investigations Bureau Commander

Deputy Chief Ken Prager joined the Wheeling Police Department in April 2004 and graduated from the 122nd class of the West Virginia State Police Academy later that year.

Deputy Chief Prager was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief/Investigations Bureau Commander in July of 2020 after spending 16 years in the patrol division. Prior to his promotion, Prager served as the Charlie shift commander as well as the city’s East District Commander.

Deputy Chief Prager is responsible for overseeing most of the department's specialty units, which encompasses the detective division, prevention resource officers (PRO's), the department's victim advocacy program, and the Wheeling Police Department's role in the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force.

He also is tasked with being part of the background recruitment team and scheduling the departments annual physical and written agility tests for new officers.

Lt. Russell Campbell, Jr.
North District Commander

Lieutenant Russell Campbell, a Wheeling native, joined the Wheeling Police Department in November 2005 and graduated from the 128th class of the West Virginia State Police Academy in the Spring of 2006.

He was was promoted to Lieutenant in July of 2020 and serves as the patrol division's charlie shift commander.

Additionally, he serves as the department’s North District Commander, overseeing crime trends and activity from 10^th Street in downtown north, which includes North Wheeling, North Par, Warwood and Wheeling Island.

Aside from his command staff duties, Lt. Campbell is a member of the WPD honor guard.

Lt. Gust Kepreos
East District Commander

Lieutenant Gust Kepreos joined the Wheeling Police Department in April 2004 and currently serves as the East District Commander, which encompasses the city from the Fulton/Woodsdale neighborhoods to the eastern boundaries of the city in Elm Grove.

Prior to his promotion as a Lieutenant in August of 2021, Lt. Kepreos served as a Prevention Resource Officer at Triadelphia Middle School from 2016-20. He also served as a DARE instructor at Madison Elementary School and the Linsly School from 2014-16.

In addition to his supervisory role, Lt. Kepreos is a certified DARE instructor, a Field Training Officer (FTO) with the department, and a former taser instructor.

Lt. Kepreos is a 2003 graduate of West Liberty University and holds a regent Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialization in criminal justice and political science.

He also is a U.S. Army veteran, having served in Operation Feurtes Caminos in Honduras and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991. During Desert Shield/Storm he served with A Company, 26^th Signal Battalion, 93^rd Signal Brigade VII Corp. During his time in the military, he served in Central America, Europe, and Southwest Asia.

Lt. Jonathan Stipetich
South District Commander

Lieutenant Jonathan Stipetich joined the Wheeling Police Department in 2007 and currently serves as the south District Commander, which encompasses the city from 27^th Street to the county line.

In addition to his supervisory duties, he serves as the SWAT Team commander, a firearms instructor, less lethal instructor and is the department’s quartermaster.

Prior to joining the police department, Lt. Stipetich was an active member of the United States Marine Corps from 2002-06, where he served in the 3^rd battalion 6^th Marines ,2^nd Marine Division, LIMA company.

While a member of the Marines, he was deployed several times in various areas, including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Lt. Stipetich is an Ohio Valley native and graduated from John Marshall High School in 2002.

Lt. Josh Sanders
Traffic & Special Operations Commander

Lieutenant Josh Sanders joined the Wheeling Police Department in November 2005.

Lt. Sanders currently serves as the special operations commander - overseeing many programs and special events within the department. Additionally, he serves as the leader of WPD’s traffic unit.

Prior to his current position, he worked in the department’s patrol division for five years before becoming a full-time bicycle and motorcycle officer. In 2016, he was promoted to Sergeant and worked within the patrol division as a supervisor and later a Lieutenant in 2020.

Lt. Sanders is currently involved several community events, including Safety Town, Neighborhood Crime Watch meetings, the Citizens Police Academy and anything community oriented. He also oversees new hire training and the Field Training Officer program, the Neighborhood Assistance Volunteers and Explorer Post.

In addition to his many duties, he is a part of the department’s SWAT team, bicycle unit and is involved with the Northern Regional Highway Safety Office.

Sgt. Josh Raddish
Office of Professional Standards

Sergeant Josh Raddish joined the Wheeling Police Department in April 2004.

As the head of the Office of Professional Standards,it is his duty to investigate all citizen complaints that are filed against Wheeling Police Officers. Additionally, Sgt. Raddish is tasked with writing and reviewing all policies within the Wheeling Police Department.

Prior to his appointment to OPS in November 2019, he served as a shift supervisor on patrol.

He currently the commander of the Wheeling Police Department's Honor Guard, a member of the SWAT Team and member of the United States Marshal's Mountain State Fugitive Task Force.

Sgt. Rob Safreed
Investigations Commander

Sergeant Rob Safreed joined the Wheeling Police Department in August 2009.

Since October 2019, he has served as the Investigations/Detective Division Commander for the department. As commander, Sgt. Safreed assign cases to the four detectives he oversees, processes evidence, and works hand in hand with the Ohio County Prosecutor’s office on cases spanning from thefts to homicides.

Sgt. Safreed attended the West Virginia State Police Academy and graduated in 2010. Prior to his appointment as Investigations Commander, he served as a detective for four years and as a patrol officer.

In addition to his main duties at WPD, he is a member of the department’s SWAT Team.

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