5-Year-Old Daughter Pins Badge for New Police Chief

ST. JOHNSBURY — Badge-pinning duty during a swearing-in ceremony for the town’s new police chief on Tuesday went to the chief’s 5-year-old daughterBadge-pinning duty during a swearing-in ceremony for the town’s new police chief on Tuesday went to the chief’s 5-year-old daughter. Joel Pierce crouched beneath the “Welcome To St. Johnsbury” sign in the Welcome Center while his daughter, Isabel, attempted to pin the chief’s badge onto the lapel of his suit jacket. Tuesday was Pierce’s first day on the job, and taking the oath of office was among his first official duties. Town Manager Chad Whitehead administered the oath while Pierce’s wife, Karey, and their children, plus a group of town employees and officials witnessed the occasion. Also in attendance was the man Pierce is replacing as chief, Tim Page. Page plans to retire in December and will assist Pierce with administration and orientation before he leaves. Page began as chief in St. Johnsbury in 2017.