Officer Rachel Jonas returned to the Krugerville Police Department with a heartfelt welcome after a year away.
“I can't tell you how much it means to me to have her back,” KVPD Chief Stoney Ward said. “When she left, we hated to see her go, but she went and tested the waters out in [the] private sector, and now she's back. And I, on behalf of myself and my staff, are ecstatic to have [Rachel] back.”
Ward swore her in, and her husband, Caleb Jonas, pinned her badge.
Council member Shane Kading read a letter sent over three years ago from a man thanking the returning officer for helping his father-in-law, whom she had witnessed driving in a manner that concerned her.
In the letter, he described how she had him park his car, drove him to his house and waited with him until his family returned.
The man appreciated her helpfulness and the compassion that she showed.
Ward also commended Rachel for her efforts in the community when she was dispatched to a call regarding a possible overdose.
“After performing a sternum rub with no response from the male, Officer Jonas administered a dose of Narcan with little to no effect,” Ward said. “Realizing that the first dose did not restore the male to an alert state, she immediately administered a second dose of Narcan in a continued effort to save his life. I am very proud to say that on Sept. 1, 2024, Officer Jonas saved that man's life.”
She was then presented with an award for that lifesaving act.
“Officer Jonas did not simply choose this calling; the calling chose her,” Ward said. “I believe it chose her because the Lord knew when it was her time to save another human life, she would answer the call without hesitation.”
Also at the meeting, Ward shared that one of the police department’s Dodge Chargers recently had mechanical problems and that it’s a model they have costly issues with.
Because the Dodge Chargers' warranty ends on Nov. 9, Ward found a 2025 Mustang with 6,400 miles from a company that can also retrofit it.
“This will be a statement for our police department,” Ward said. “… It's a huge recruiting tool, too, when offi cers see that our council is not afraid to provide us something like that and give it to responsible officers.”
A person in custody will be transported in the Mustang’s front seat, and it was mentioned that other officers on shift driving a Tahoe can transport them and provide reinforcement if needed.
“The money is there,” Mayor Pro Tem Kristen Kromer said, adding that the city can fund it with the general fund reserves, the court reserves or other sources that could pay for the Mustang.
The council approved the purchase of the new patrol car, not to exceed $85,000.
The 7-Eleven that runs along U.S. 377 is now a part of Krugerville’s city limits.
The decision was made at the joint meeting between the Krugerville City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 29.
“I'm excited to welcome this parcel of land and business into our town,” Kromer said. “It’s been a minute coming.”
When a member of the P&Z asked the police department for their thoughts, the answer was simple.
“We love it,” Ward said. “On our behalf, it gives us another location where we can get our fuel from and just fuel from that one location to where it comes back into the city.”
The P&Z unanimously recommended its approval to the council, and the council unanimously approved it.
Mayor Rodney Cagle added that this came at a crucial time.
“This helps solidify that whole intersection for [the] police patrol area,” Cagle said. “They don't have to just be around the edge of the jurisdiction.”
The area had to be rezoned from agricultural to a commercial district, a change unanimously recommended by P&Z and afterward approved by the council.
A discussion on e-bikes was tabled so the council can gather more information before passing an ordinance.
On Sept. 15, there will be a public hearing and adoption of the 2026-27 budget and tax rate.
