Washingtonville Police Chief Ken Faust has been with the village since 1998, but his commitment as a public servant reaches all the way around the globe with two deployments to Iraq in his 33 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserves. (Salem News photo by Larry Shields)

WASHINGTONVILLE–Ken Faust is the Washingtonville police chief and a full-time officer with the East Palestine Police Department.

As a public servant, his record speaks for itself. It’s exemplary. The perfect example of a public official quietly protecting and serving. Day in, day out.

Faust joined the East Palestine department in 2010 working the streets. His service in Washingtonville pre-dates that by quite a few years. He joined that department in 1998 when Chief Keith Trittschuh hired him after he completed his peace officer basic training, 19 years ago.

Faust spent six months at the Columbiana County Joint Vocational School (now the career and technical center) studying law enforcement.

But there’s more than just his civil service.

To really define Faust as a public servant, consider that he retired not long ago as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves after 33 years service.

And inside those 33 years are two trips to the Middle East where he served with distinction in two wars.

His mechanical background was put to use during the first Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield, and in the second war, Iraqi Freedom.

“I had two deployments to Iraq, one for six months and one for a year,” he said.

He was activated and deployed from Ft. Lee, Va. in 2003 for six months and returned home. Working as quartermaster, he and his unit distributed supplies, the necessary component of “Infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars.”

Faust assisted his detachment commander, planned, coordinated and supervised all activities supporting the unit mission and staff sections.

While supervising section sergeants he provided counsel and guidance to all subordinate personnel and ensured standard operating procedures (SOP) were followed and monthly numbers reported–not too far from administrative duties he handles for the Washingtonville Police Department.

Faust became one of his battalions anti-terrorism Level II instructors and was always looking for a better way to train soldiers in their own military occupation specialty (MOS).

Capt. John P. Koval, the battalion operations officer, in one evaluation said Faust exceeded the standards in training soldiers to have them excel and strive for higher standards.

In 2006, Faust volunteered for another deployment to Iraq “but wasn’t picked up,” he said. While in the reserves, he volunteered for duty in Korea twice, and spent time in Germany.

The bottom line is, he’s a worker and doesn’t mind going the extra step to help.

Whatever evaluation the U.S. Army might give him, Mayor Herman Frank said, “I only know what he means to us.”

With his mechanical certification, Faust has not hesitated to apply his expertise to maintain the village police cruisers with his own time, off the clock and outside the formal duties of chief.

“For a small village we’re very fortunate to have a man of this caliber. We don’t pay a lot of money to have a man of his ability and background,” Frank said. “How many police chiefs are there that will work on the front end or a water pump?”

“He goes above and beyond the duties that are asked of him by the village,” Frank said, adding he had no idea about Faust’s service commitment to the country.

“Everytime, my dealings with him are always professional.”

Faust said his department strength goes up and down but averages about eight officers.

“A lot of times they find other jobs,” he said, adding that the part-time average for officers around here is $9 to $11 an hour.

“We pay $12.50 here,” he said, “which isn’t much for putting your life on the line, especially with a main route through the village.”

Frank said, “You know, when we get new officers he makes sure they are trained properly … the way he wants them to function. He won’t cut them loose till he’s satisfied. He makes sure they’re ready to go out and do the job.

“I have the highest regard for him, and always felt he’s a great guy. He’s our chief. He’ll stay our chief.”

Frank has mentioned Faust’s proclivity to work on village cruisers gratis and noted he has no idea how much money he’s saved the village.

“He’s always been willing to do what he can do to maintain equipment. Some places they don’t care. He’s just a good guy. What else can I say?”