May 18, 2008 Cops and Courts

Police chief interviews to be held

The Village of Melrose will interview police chief candidates Saturday, according to Mayor Lance Pyle.

Pyle said the village will convene an interview panel including himself, the village mayor pro-tem, the district attorney and representatives from Melrose schools and the Curry County Sheriff’s Office.

Candidates will be required to complete a written test and will be given a 30-minute interview, Pyle said.

Among those invited to interview Saturday are applicants from Elida, Santa Rosa, Melrose and Clovis, he said.

Pyle said plans are to have the position filled by June 15.

In April, former Melrose Police Chief Lee Ferguson resigned to take a position as a deputy in Parmer County. He was the village’s only law enforcement officer.

Pyle said state police and the sheriff’s department have been assisting Melrose in the interim.

Pay will be determined by experience level, Pyle said.

Ferguson was paid $28,641 plus benefits, according to village officials.

Amarillo homicide investiation ongoing

Clovis police are assisting Amarillo investigators to determine if painted quarters found in Clovis are connected to a recent homicide in Amarillo, according to a press release from the Clovis Police Department.

Police are hoping they can retrieve images from convenience store surveillance of a woman who reportedly paid for a purchase with painted quarters, the release said.

Max Steven Stanhope, 77, was found dead in his Amarillo home May 10. He died of blunt force trauma, Amarillo police said.

Amarillo police said Stanhope’s home was burglarized April 21 and the only items stolen were collectible, painted quarters.

They are trying to determine if there is a connection between the burglary and the homicide.

Monday, a man and his daughter turned painted coins over to police they had received at a Clovis convenience store. The store clerk told police a woman paid for a purchase with all painted quarters a few days before.

Cops and Courts is compiled by CNJ staff writer Sharna Johnson. She can be contacted at 763-6991 or: sharna_johnson@link.freedom.com