LUDLOW — Ray Murphy, a former Covington police officer with nearly 30 years in public service, will be sworn in as police chief before tonight's city council meeting.

        Mr. Murphy, 50, is replacing interim Chief Charles Donaldson, who stepped in when Tom Collins left last August for a job as patrolman with Newport police.

IF YOU GO

• What: Community welcome and swearing in of Ray Murphy as police chief.    • When: 6 p.m. tonight.    • Where: Ludlow Senior Center, 808 Elm St.

        Mr. Murphy, a 1969 Holmes High School graduate, was one of eight applicants considered by a committee made up of Mr. Donaldson, Mayor Ed Schroeder and Kenton County Police Chief Bill Dorsey. He was then chosen by city council and started last week.

        “I think we'll do real well with him,” Mr. Schroeder said. “I think the officers that are presently there are happy with him and that's the main thing.”

        Mr. Murphy, of Covington, served with the Covington Police Department for 24 years as a patrol officer, detective and sergeant in community relations. He then retired and served as a Kenton County sheriff's deputy for three years.

        Mr. Murphy ran unsuccessfully for Covington mayor in 2000.

        “I've always wanted to be in a management position and the City of Ludlow position became available at the right time for me,” Mr. Murphy said.

        Mr. Murphy attended Centre College in Danville, Ky., before serving in the U.S. Army for two years. He then attended Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky Unversity, but has not finished his degree.

        “I'm still looking forward to it,” he said.

        Mr. Murphy, who will make $45,000 a year, said he wants to improve police- community relations to keep up with an expected population and development boom.

        “I'm really big into community policing,” he said. “Ludlow is small enough to keep in contact with citizens.”

        Former neighbor and fellow officer Roy Taylor, of the Fort Mitchell Police Department, said he has known Mr. Murphy for 23 years.

        “He's a great guy,” Mr. Taylor said. “He'll do a great job for the neighborhood.”
       
       

Fights brew over use of eminent domain
Law is 'last resort,' Newport officials say
School officials unveil $1B building plan
Luken to speak on city's state
Pair indicted in death of 3-year-old
Fight to halt new YMCA loses round
Former Mariemont schools head dies at 83
Hamilton Co.'s future lies in past
Judge won't step down from trial
Old book holds 1911 message
Radio host wins Round 1
Tristate A.M. Report
PULFER: The Maisonette
Accident at plant severs man's leg
Hamilton to Nuxhall: You're a champ
Alert teller, officer uncover counterfeit ring, police say
Fat Tuesday party to help charities
Four schools' test scores slip
Gambling issue comes to Capitol
Kentucky News Briefs
L&N found fit for new life
Ludlow to swear in Murphy tonight as its new police chief
McConnell predicts Bunning judgeship
Racetrack sends money to lawmakers
Rezoning key to auto dealerships