NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 1998

HUNTER TO SERVE AS

ACTING POLICE CHIEF IN CARY

CARY, NC -- Captain W.J. "Windy" Hunter will serve as Cary’s Acting Chief of Police beginning June 1, 1998. Hunter, 45, will temporarily replace Chief David Fortson who is leaving at the end of May to become Chief of Police of Rock Hill, SC. Hunter will head Cary’s Police Department for four to five months while the Town conducts a search for a Fortson’s permanent replacement.

"I’m very proud to have been selected for the job and for the opportunity to continue working with such a fine group of people," said Hunter, who currently oversees District II operations and the Adult Criminal Investigation division.

Hired in as a patrol officer in Cary by Chief John Boles in 1975, Hunter served as a Crime Prevention Officer in the late 1970’s, line sergeant in the early 1980’s, and was the first officer in the department to be promoted to lieutenant in 1985, and one of two officers to be named captain in 1989.

Hunter holds a Bachelor of Administrative Science degree in Administration of Justice from Guilford College. He also has an Associate of Arts degree from Rockingham Community College and additional graduate level coursework with the University of Virginia and North Carolina State University. Hunter has participated in law enforcement training programs with the FBI in Quantico, VA, and with the Institute of Government at UNC Chapel Hill.

Hunter is a current member of the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the NC Police Executive Association. He has served as past president of the NC Law Enforcement Officers Association and the NC Internal Affairs Investigations Association.

"I’ve worked with Windy for many years and have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead our Police Department during this transition," said Town Manager Bill Coleman.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: Capt. W.J. Hunter, Cary PD, 469-4023
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951