City hires two new patrolmen

The City of Fredericktown filled two vacancies in the Police Department this week with the hiring of full-time Patrolman Jason Fitzwater and part-time Patrolman Dan Curtis.

“We are glad to have these new officers on board,” said Police Captain Eric Hovis. “They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in law enforcement and are committed to the department’s mission of service and transparency in our interactions with the community.”

Full-time Patrolman Jason Fitzwater is a 1997 graduate of Arcadia Valley High School. He has been employed in law enforcement since 2000. Officer Fitzwater began his career in Tampa, Fla. as a patrolman and quickly advanced to field training officer. He then went into the Detective’s Bureau working property crimes. A year later he transferred to the Crimes Against Persons Unit where he worked for a year before transferring to Homicide where he worked for over two years.

Officer Fitzwater has served as an investigator on a violent crimes task force in the Tampa Bay Area. He has completed advanced training in firearms instruction, interview and interrogation techniques, weapons of mass destruction, domestic violence and community oriented policing. He is also a member of Cops for Christ.

“The reason I moved back to the area was to be close to home again,” said Fitzwater. “Just to be around friends and family again and have a little change of pace.”

Part-time Patrolman Dan Curtis has worked in law enforcement for 12 years in Washington and St. Francois Counties. In 2004 he enlisted in the Missouri National Guard 1137 Military Police Company. Curtis is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served in 2007 and 2008 in Afghanistan.

Officer Curtis resided in Madison County for ten years during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. He said that part of the reason he took the position was because he wanted to return to the area.

“I have a lot of friends in Madison and in the Marquand area and a lot of fond memories,” said Curtis. “And I really wanted the chance to serve the residents of our community.”

Information on the Fredericktown Police Department can be found on the City of Fredericktown website at www.fredericktownmo.org