BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Citizens will notice a new deputy sheriff patrolling Martin County. Sheriff John Kirk’s office has hired Deputy Jameson Wall, a 31-year-old Lawrence County native who serves in the Kentucky National Guard and previously spent four years on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Chief Deputy Chris Kidd announced the hiring, saying he and Sheriff Kirk first met Wall when Guardsmen responded to a flood in Martin County.
“He was vital in helping the citizens of Martin County,” Kidd said. “He approached us and was interested in becoming a police officer. And he did not come in fresh off the streets. He had already logged about 20 hours at the Lexington Metro Academy before a family matter interrupted his training.”
The Sheriff’s Office recently put Wall through Kentucky’s Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS) process.
“We got him POPS certified,” Kidd said. “He has gone through rigorous testing and did exceptionally well—passed everything.”
POPS screening takes a couple of months to complete. It measured Wall’s suitability for police work, required a polygraph and drug test, and sent him to Ashland and Richmond for additional evaluations. Wall also completed a fitness test that included a mile-and-a-half run, a 300-meter dash, pushups, situps and bench presses.
“He scored exceptionally well on his physical test,” Kidd commented.
Because POPS certification allows an officer to work for up to 364 days before enrolling in the police academy, the Sheriff’s Office plans to assign Wall to evening shifts while scheduling a class date.
“We do not want to work him that long before sending him, but we can work him several months,” Kidd said.
“We’re excited to have another officer—glad to have help. Jameson is smart and very capable of performing this job. He catches on quickly and has done a lot in just the last couple of weeks since becoming POPS certified. He’s been more than willing and capable.”
Kidd encourages residents to introduce themselves and get to know the new deputy.
Wall, who lives near the Martin–Lawrence county line with his wife and 1-year-old child, said he looks forward to serving locally.
“I am interested in serving my community and making my home a better place,” he said. “If you see me out, come and say ‘hi.’ I will welcome meeting you.”