Pittman named new BPD deputy chief

By John Howell
Batesville aldermen  during their Tuesday meeting promoted Kerry Pittman to the post of deputy police chief and Sadie Willey as communications supervisor.
The promotions were announced following an executive session near the end of the Third Tuesday meeting of the board of mayor and aldermen.
Pittman joined the Batesville Police Department in 1999 after having worked for the Panola County Sheriff’s Department control room and jail for two years. He became a certified officer that year and has ascended through the ranks from patrolman to captain prior to his promotion to deputy chief. During his tenure he has served as field training officer and as a certified firearms training instructor with handguns, shotguns and patrol rifles.
Pittman and his wife, Deana, are parents of two daughters, Abbi, age 10, and Alli, almost five. Deana Pittman operates Grace Connection, a support network for local home-schooling parents.
He is a member of the Sardis Lake Baptist Church where he is a deacon. He also volunteers as a shooting instructor in the Panola County 4-H program.
Willey (pronounced Wy-lee) joined BPD as dispatcher in 2000. She and her husband, Mack Willey, are parents of two adult daughters, Senita Willey and Ralonda Reed, and grandparents of six.
She is 1973 graduate of South Panola High School and a member of the Springhill M. B. Church at Pope where she sings in the choir. She said that she also enjoys reading, shopping and going. “I’ll go; I don’t mind driving,” she said.
Willey verifies the police department’s exchange of information with NCIC (the National Crime Information Computer), Police Chief Jimmy McCloud said.
“They (dispatchers) are an important piece of the puzzle, the officers’ safety net,” McCloud said.
Both Pittman and Willey will receive monthly pay increases commensurate with the promotions as will BPD Lt. John Miller whose assignment to increased responsibilities was approved by aldermen during the executive session.