It was back around Oct. 1, 2019, when then Bridgeport Police Deputy Chief Randy Hartley did two things. First, and most notable, he retired from the department after more than two decades of service to the city.

 

Second, and on a little bit of a lighter note, Hartley made a proclamation

 

“I told everyone I wasn’t going to wear a gun again,” said Hartley.

 

The retirement, and the proclamation, did not make it three months. On Dec. 9 of the same year, Hartley found himself in the same role for the Clarksburg Police Department as he was sworn in as the new Deputy Chief.

 

Three years later almost to the day, Hartley will officially be retiring again. This time, ironically, from the same department he began his career with as a member of law enforcement in 1994.

 

“My wife, Barbara, just retired and I have two kids and a granddaughter, who will definitely be getting a lot more of my time,” said Hartley. “It’s time for me to see a little bit of the country and for us to do some things we’ve always wanted to do.”

 

The retirement becomes official Dec. 15. It will end not only a run that he has had in law enforcement nearly at 30 years, but one in public service that is 40 years long. Considering Hartley has done this most of his life, the question of whether he will “un-retire” again had to be asked.

 

“There is no chance this time,” said Hartley with a laugh. “I’ve been in public since my senior year of high school.”

 

For those thinking Hartley’s statement about serving the public since his days as a senior at Lincoln High school is hyperbole, they would be wrong. Back in 1982, Hartley joined the Shinnston Fire Department. Basically, he was following in the footsteps of his father Henry who was a member of the Bridgeport Fire Department in the 1950s and his older brother Gary who served in Shinnston prior.

 

Hartley was involved with the Shinnston FD for 10 years and left as a lieutenant. Then, until 1994, he was a dispatcher for the Harrison County Bureau of Emergency Services, which is the precursor to what today is the 911 center.

 

In 1994, former Clarksburg Police Chief Tom Durrett hired Hartley and a long run as an officer of the law began. Although he would leave Clarksburg for Bridgeport in 1997, he would return 22 years later – and never thought that was possible.

 

“I have been friends with (Clarksburg Police Chief) Mark Kiddy for 35 years. He came to me and said he was applying for the chief’s job in Clarksburg and, if he got it, would I consider being the deputy chief,” said Hartley of his friend, a long-time West Virginia State Trooper. “I told him he was nuts and left it at that.”

 

Kiddy did not leave it at that. Hartley said he approached him again and said he was serious about putting his name in the hat for the job and bringing Hartley on board with him if possible.

 

“I told him if her cleared two hurdles – get the job and somehow convince them to hire me – and he did then I would do it,” said Hartley. “That’s what led me to where I’m at today.”

 

Hartley said coming full circle to finish where he started was “like it was meant to be.” He added that he put in his resignation letter that it was and honor and a privilege to finished 28 years in law enforcement in the same city where it all began.

 

“I told one of the (Clarksburg) Councilmen recently that it wasn’t for Mark Kiddy, I would have stayed retired. I have that much respect for him,” said Hartley. “Honestly, the only downside is I hate leaving him because we started (in Clarksburg) together. At the same time, you reach a point in your career when you have to say it’s time to spend time with my family and enjoy my retirement. I’m at that point.”

 

Hartley said the return to Clarksburg was challenging, and one he was glad to work with Kiddy on. He also sang the praises of the other staff members who stepped up to make a difference.

 

“One thing that was top priority for Mark was to focus the direction of the department on dealing with vagrants, the drug issues, and the homeless situation,” said Hartley. “Are we ever going to get rid of those issues totally? No, but it is 100 times better today than it was in 2019.

 

“That happened under Mark, and I was happy to be part of it. Even more important, is the renewed integrity of the department,” said Hartley. “The Clarksburg Police Department is a very professional department and has the respect of the citizens it serves and a lot of that is because of bringing the local guy in.

 

“You had a win-win with Mark in charge and still in charge,” Hartley continued. “He is a local guy and there are few that are as good at what he does.”

 

Hartley also is pleased with the announcement of who will replace him. Long-time Clarksburg Lieutenant Jason Webber, who has led the detective unit going back years, will be the new Clarksburg Deputy Chief when he is sworn in Dec. 15. He said that promotion makes him feel even better about leaving.

 

“The department is in good hands with Jason and Mark,” said Hartley. “Jason wasn’t there my first round with the City of Clarksburg, but I worked with him closely in my final years in Bridgeport and during my time in Clarksburg the second time. He’s widely respected.”

 

As for Hartley, after four decades serving the community, he does not leave with any regrets.

 

“I wouldn’t change anything, even the difficult times,” said Hartley. “What’s unique about most of our work is that it’s not like a contractor. Most of the time, you can’t see what I’ve done during the day. What you want is the integrity of what you do to earn the respect of your colleagues and I feel comfortable I’ve earned that as they have earned mine.”

 

Thank you, Randy Hartley, for your public service of 40 years. Time to officially sign off.

 

You have earned it.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Randy Hartley during his final week of work as Bridgeport's Deputy Chief in 2019, while in the second photo he is shown sitting in the city's mobile command unit during a case searching for individuals who had shot at vehicles in southern Harrison County. His friend, and future colleague, then State Trooper Mark Kiddy, is shown to the left in the foreground. In the third photo, Hartley is shown with Clarksburg Police Sgt. Mark Walsh during Walsh's retirement. Bottom photo, by Ben Queen Photography, shows Hartley with former WVU Coach Dana Holgorsen at the North Central West Virginia Airport.