Weeks after a scandal hit the Cherryville Police Department, the head of the department has tendered his resignation, effective Wednesday.
According to interim city manager Jeff Cash, Cherryville Police Chief Woody Burgess resigned on Monday, effective Wednesday. His resignation was voluntary.
The resignation comes after three officers were hit with federal corruption charges after undercover FBI agents say they gave protection to trucks bringing shipments of stolen goods into the county in return for cash money.
Three police officers involved in a federal investigation and corruption case have been fired from their jobs, according to documents obtained by WBTV News.
Acting City Manager Jeff Cash says that Casey Crawford, Frankie Dellinger and Trey Mauney were terminated. The city manager says he took the action because it was in the best interest of the city.
Chief Burgess had initially announced a planned retirement back in the summer, but had decided to stay on board after all.
WBTV has learned that an interim chief, Cam Jenks, has been assigned. Jenks was a Sergeant Detective.
"I would like to get things in place and start from the ground up and build this place where it needs to be to get going on the right track," Jenks told WBTV last week. "Earning public's the trust in the police department. That's a big issue."
There is no search for a permanent police chief happening right now, WBTV has learned.
Last week, WBTV learned that dozens of criminal cases will be dismissed by the Gaston County District Attorney's Office after three Cherryville police officers were arrested on federal corruption charges.
59 charges will be voluntarily dismissed. The cases relied on testimony from officers who were arrested.
The dismissed charges include eight DWI cases, five drug-related charges, one larceny case, and multiple traffic violations.
"Everything will come out in the wash. I believe the public will know the officers left behind are good people, good officers", says Jenks.
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