By Janice Morse
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - Rodney L. Wilson grew up in a single-parent home, in a rough neighborhood - and he learned to admire the police. Now Wilson, 30, is fulfilling a lifelong dream: He's becoming a police officer in his hometown.

One of 10 new officers appointed today, Wilson said the more he got to know police officers, the more he liked them.

Hired with money generated by a 1-mill levy voters approved last year, Hamilton's new officers bring the department's roster to 125 members, said Police Chief Neil Ferdelman.

Ferdelman said the department recruited extensively to find candidates with high moral character. "We want officers who will do the right thing at 3 o'clock in the morning, with no one looking over his or her shoulder," he said.

Four of the new hires already are certified as police officers and will be assigned to patrols immediately. They are: Andrew R. Beckelhymer, 25, of Mason; Jon W. Habig, 22, of Trenton; Jonathan M. Pieron, 25, of West Chester Township; and Edward G. Tanner, 25, of Hamilton.

Wilson and five others will attend the Butler County Peace Officer Academy before beginning street duties. They are Scott T. Laney, 25, of Fairfield, and four Hamilton residents: David L. Anglin, 27; Matthew S. Fishwick, 29; Mark E. Kibby, 28; Terrence J. Kiep, 31.

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E-mail jmorse@enquirer.com