Sweet Home Police Swear-In Latest Hire

SWEET HOME, Ore. October 26, 2021 — While the past year's events may have discouraged many from law enforcement, they caught Ben Pinnegar's attention and inspired him to switch gears.

Pinnegar, 27, went to work as a police officer at Sweet Home Police Department Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, after working most of the past year as a hazmat technician.

Pinnegar grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, graduating from South Warren High School and then Western Kentucky University with a bachelor of science degree in biology. He came to Oregon in May 2020 to attend pharmacy school at Oregon State University.

That was the plan anyway. Ben signed a lease and traveled to Oregon as the state was locking down in response to the spread of COVID-19. When he learned classes would all be online, he took a deferral on the school year.

During that time, his interests shifted dramatically.

"I've always been interested in law enforcement," Pinnegar said. "My uncle and grandfather retired as assistant chiefs of police in Paducah, Kentucky."

He grew up around police, riding with officers and shadowing the Bowling Green Police Department, he said. "It's the role police play in the community that kind of attracted me to pharmacy as well – to make a difference."

Along with COVID-19 and lockdowns, the nation faced continual civil unrest last year.

"That inspired me to go into law enforcement, to show people there are those of us who still want to do the job and make a difference," Pinnegar said. Applying to Sweet Home Police Department was an easy decision. His wife, Kaylee Pinnegar, was working at Sweet Home Charter School, and he was able to interact with teachers and parents. "The culture and climate reminded me of home."

As a police officer with a science background, Pinnegar said he is most interested in detectives and criminology, but he would like a well-rounded experience as a police officer.

Officer Pinnegar's Swearing-In Ceremony will occur during tonight's City Council meeting at 6:30 pm. The public may attend in-person or online at live.sweethomeor.gov.

If community members want to make a difference by joining our department, they can find applications at sweethomeor.gov/jobs.  

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For Additional Information Contact:
Sweet Home Police Department
541-367-5181
shpd@sweethomeor.gov