Sharp to resign from Williamsburg City Council this week

Troy Sharp

The Williamsburg Police Department and Williamsburg Independent School are gaining a school resource officer but the Williamsburg City Council is losing one member.

Williamsburg City Councilman Troy Sharp said Tuesday afternoon that he plans to tender his resignation from the city council this week in order to go back to work for the Williamsburg Police Department as a school resource officer.

"That is what I am planning," Sharp said. "I enjoy being on the city council and stuff but I think I can be a little more effective at the school with the kids. I enjoy being around young people and I am hoping I can help them just a little bit."

Sharp already has four grandchildren that attend the school and said three more are moving back from Tennessee and will be enrolling at Williamsburg in the near future, which was another major factor in his decision to take the job.

"The school really needs a resource officer and I am hoping I am what they need," he added.

Sharp retired from the Williamsburg Police Department in 2003 as assistant police chief with after a little more than 20 years with the department. In 2010 he was elected to the first of three terms on the Williamsburg City Council.

He has also served as a Whitley County court bailiff for the last several years.

In June, the Williamsburg Independent Board of Education voted to allocate $25,000 funding for the school resource officer position, and the remainder of the salary will be paid through the Williamsburg Police Department.

Under the terms of the agreement, the school resource officer will work five days a week while school is in session, and during summer vacation and other off times he will be assigned to the police department.

Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird said that Sharp would start his new duties effective Aug. 1.

"To be a school resource officer, it kind of takes a special breed of person to do that," Bird noted. "Troy is really good with kids. He is good with the public. He is an experienced officer. I think he is well suited for the position."

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said Sharpe would be missed as a councilman.

"We are losing a good council member but gaining a heck of an asset up at the city school," Harrison noted. "He is going to bring the maturity that is needed for a school resource officer and the kids love him.

"It is going to be the perfect fit for the school but at the same time we really hate to lose him as a council member. He was a really effective council member as well."

Harrison said city officials have a few people in mind as possible replacements for Sharp and hope to have one selected by sometime in either August or September.

The replacement will serve out the remainder of Sharp’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2016.

Sharp said the thing he will miss most about serving on the council is helping make decisions that are vital to the city.

Classes resume at Williamsburg Independent School on Aug. 12.