Detective Sgt. David Gilleland, left, and Capt. Mike Freeman look on as Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, right, speaks at a news conference in this 2005 staff file photo.The Trion Town Council voted unanimously Friday to hire David Gilleland as its new police chief, Mayor Larry Stansell said.
Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said Gilleland worked for his department for 17-1/2 years, most recently as a detective sergeant. He was assigned to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.
Gilleland replaced Jason Kellett, who resigned Sept. 4, according to the Summerville News. Kellett spared with some council about funding for the department.
Stansell said Gilleland will make $45,000 a year as the town’s chief, which he said was “a little less” than Kellett’s salary. Stansell could not know Kellett’s exact salary.
Wilson said he has not yet thought through whether the department will replace Gilleland, who was one of 15 detectives at the sheriff’s office.