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Joshua Byers

Staff Writer

New Delbarton Police Chief David Nunley is the epitome of a “homegrown product,” having lived his entire life in Delbarton and graduating from Burch High School.

Mayor John Preece said that promoting Nunley was an easy decision for city leaders.

“We all knew him and had a consensus that he would be a good chief,” Preece said.

City Councilman Joe Crum agreed.

“He’s very courteous and has a lot of respect,” he said.

Nunley came up through the ranks quickly, having joined the force in August 2011. He has an associates degree in Criminal Justice from Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College and is also a Certified Police Officer, having completed the West Virginia State Police’s program. He said he got a good education, but the other side of the coin was how to practically put it to use on the streets.

“Every situation is completely different,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s the same call and the same people, it’s a different situation. You’ve got to get the truth.”

Nunley said the highlight of his career might not be something traditionally described as a “cop thing.”

“My highlight would be going down to the grade school and reading to the kids,” he said. “It makes you realize why you do the job…it’s also about being a role model.”

Preece said Nunley would be busy.

“He’s got to do some coordinating and scheduling and he’s got to learn how to get the most out of his department to be of service to all of our citizens,” he said.

Nunley said it was about five years ago that he began to think of a career in law enforcement.

“My child was born and I wanted to be a good role model for him,” he said.

Nunley, who has a 4-year-old boy named Zachariah, is engaged to be married to Kasey Baldwin, who also has a 4-year-old son, Draven.

“We’re always recruiting,” Nunley said, adding he’s currently taking applications. Anyone interested in working for the Delbarton Police Department can stop by and drop off an application or call Nunley at (304) 475-3359.