Local Police Chief Resigns
By: WTAJ News
Updated: March 2, 2013
CONFLUENCE, SOMERSET COUNTY - Confluence Borough Police Chief Tom Keller turned in his resignation Friday morning, nearly 24 hours after the council was made aware of a photo taken of him and his wife going around on the internet.
That photo, according to Keller, was leaked in an attempt to get back at him.
"This is going to look bad for the community," said Confluence mayor Allen Gyorko.
Gyorko said he was only told about a photo of Borough Police Chief Tom Keller and his wife Wednesday.
"I decided to suspend him at this time," said Gyorko.
Keller was on the police force for nearly 14 years at the time of his resignation, chief for more than half of the time.
Gyorko says he was shocked and disturbed when he saw the photo, but when WTAJ spoke to Keller he says it was meant to stay private.
In a statement released to WTAJ Keller said, "It was a private family photo of myself and my wife that was misused and publicized by a person who I previously arrested several times in the past."
"You're a police officer and you're going to have people dislike you and if something gets out it pops up; people do crazy stupid things once in awhile and don't think about it and that's what happened," said Keller.
Keller says he is not embarrassed by the photo, but is embarrassed by the public's quick judgment.
The former chief is working with police to have harassment charges field against the person he says "leaked" this private photo.
Gyorko says it is unclear if they will replace Keller. In the meantime state police will cover the borough.
That photo, according to Keller, was leaked in an attempt to get back at him.
"This is going to look bad for the community," said Confluence mayor Allen Gyorko.
Gyorko said he was only told about a photo of Borough Police Chief Tom Keller and his wife Wednesday.
"I decided to suspend him at this time," said Gyorko.
Keller was on the police force for nearly 14 years at the time of his resignation, chief for more than half of the time.
Gyorko says he was shocked and disturbed when he saw the photo, but when WTAJ spoke to Keller he says it was meant to stay private.
In a statement released to WTAJ Keller said, "It was a private family photo of myself and my wife that was misused and publicized by a person who I previously arrested several times in the past."
"You're a police officer and you're going to have people dislike you and if something gets out it pops up; people do crazy stupid things once in awhile and don't think about it and that's what happened," said Keller.
Keller says he is not embarrassed by the photo, but is embarrassed by the public's quick judgment.
The former chief is working with police to have harassment charges field against the person he says "leaked" this private photo.
Gyorko says it is unclear if they will replace Keller. In the meantime state police will cover the borough.
Comments
This is something like President Clinton. It is none of our business, this was him and his wife. I don't see why he should have to give up his job. It wasn't even with another women, it was with his wife and they was having fun. Nosy, nosy busy bodys.
Dorothy W.
March 3, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.