By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
A familiar face is taking over Hartselle Police Department's top job.
Hartselle's City Council unanimously approved hiring veteran law enforcement officer Ron Puckett as the city's new police chief. Puckett has been serving as interim chief since the retirement of Ron Merkh earlier this year.
Puckett will earn $52,332 a year.
Council president Kenny Thompson said he's pleased the council agreed to hire Puckett.
"The calls I got (about Puckett's appointment) were positive," Thompson said. "I'm happy to see (him) in that position."
Puckett is a graduate of Hartselle High School and Athens State. He earned a master's degree from Auburn University in Montgomery and is a graduate of the FBI Academy.
He joined Hartselle's Police Department in 1989.
Puckett will be sworn in at the March 22 City Council meeting.