Woodville: Village police chief stepping down

It is the end of an era in the Village of Woodville; Police Chief Roy Whitehead is retiring from the department after nearly 30 years.
Whitehead is a Point Place native who started his career as a police officer in 1993, first spending time with the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office and Washington Township Police Department before joining the Woodville Police Department in September, 1994.
He was promoted to the position of chief in 2001. Whitehead then became a resident of Woodville in 2003, which is where he and his wife Lori raised their three children.
Barb Runion, village fiscal officer, worked with the chief for 16 years and considers Whitehead to be one of the biggest advocates of the village who’s spent considerable time countering the ‘speed trap’ label the town has born.
Runion also credited the chief for working within conservative budgets - often applying for grants to help offset various costs for the department. In addition, Whitehead implemented the vehicle impound lot which has helped generate revenue for the general fund.
Chief Whitehead was a regular participant in the annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ program and recently started the ‘Kickball & Cookout with the Kids’ as a fun way to end the summer before school starts. Whitehead previously had participated in ‘Coffee with a Cop’ and ‘Chillin with the Cops’ along with former mayor Richard Harman. Whitehead was also a strong supporter of the department’s K-9 Units, which has enabled the department to reduce narcotics activity.
“Chief Roy has made an immeasurable impact on our community through the years, especially with our youth, and I am certain this amazing influence will be remembered by young and old alike, long after his retirement,” Runion said. “Being a police officer these days is not for the faint hearted, and his loyalty, empathy, and encouragement have made a real difference in the lives of so many people.”
Councilwoman Kelly O’Connor has served on council since 2018 and said she’s appreciated his input on various matters that came before the council.
“We also served together at several community events through the years as he was always involved in everything,” she said. She fondly recalled his organizing a car show at the former Whippy Dip restaurant.
The newest council member, Earl Ransom, has served two years as a member of the council’s public safety committee .
“Roy has been a great police chief. He believes in and wants what is best for the Village of Woodville. He will be deeply missed by the village in his old role and a tough act to follow,” Ransom said.
Mayor Ty Tracy has worked with Whitehead since 2004, 16 years as a member of council and then the past four years as mayor.
Their common goal, the mayor said, was to secure the safety of village residents.
“I would like to wish Roy the best in his retirement and thank him for his loyalty and many years of service to the Village of Woodville,” the mayor said.
Discussing his impending retirement, Whitehead said, “I will miss serving the community and all the people I talk to on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. I truly hope to keep all the friendships I’ve made. Most importantly I will miss being there for all my officers in their time of need.”
Whitehead said he will continue with his career in real estate, which he has been doing since 2005, and will also continue to serve as the village zoning inspector.
Some of his retirement plans include restoring a 1965 Mustang Fastback for his wife and to do more traveling.
His last official day as chief is Feb. 5.
For those who would like to wish Chief Whitehead a happy retirement, there will be an open house on Feb. 3 from 1-3 p.m. at the Woodville United Methodist Church. Festivities, including light refreshments, will be held in the fellowship hall, with presentations to begin at 1:30 p.m.