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Around Kent CountyWednesday, October 28

Walker names David Moore as fire chief and Brandyn Heugel as interim police chief

The Good Day Grand Rapids teamFrom the Oct. 28 edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

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Walker commissioners approved both picks Monday night. Heugel becomes interim police chief Nov. 1, when Chief Keith Mankel retires after 33 years, mlive reports. Moore is expected to start Dec. 14.

Walker's fire chief search narrowed 21 candidates to one

Walker fire chief search, 2026

  1. Candidates reviewed21100%
  2. Finalists interviewed Oct. 12314%
  3. Chosen as chief14.8%

Source: mlive

View as table
CountShare of the first step
Candidates reviewed21100%
Finalists interviewed Oct. 12314%
Chosen as chief14.8%

Moore most recently was chief of fire aviation for the Texas A&M Forest Service. He fills the role after Fire Chief Russell "Rusty" Shoultz died in May. Under Shoultz, the department became staffed 24 hours a day for the first time since 1937, per mlive. WZZM notes Heugel is the current deputy chief.

  • Heugel starts as interim chief Nov. 1
  • Moore expected to start Dec. 14
  • Heugel was promoted to deputy chief in December 2025

Walker's new leaders bring decades in public safety

Sources: mlive, WOODTV.com

View as table
Value
Mankel, years of service (retiring)33 years
Moore, years of experience30 years
Heugel, years with department28 years

Sources: WOODTV.com, mlive, WZZM13.com

Read it in the full edition

More from the Oct. 28 edition

Read the edition
SchoolsTwo GRPS superintendent finalists interview in public at 5 p.m. todayIf you want a say in who leads Grand Rapids Public Schools, tonight's your night. Finalists Kelly Greene and Allison Tingwall interview with the board Wed., Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. at GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Ave. NE, mlive reports. Greene is GRPS's chief area instructional leader. Tingwall is executive director of principal quality for Chicago Public Schools.Oct. 28 editionRead DowntownGVSU starts work on its $166 million Blue Dot Lab at the Eberhard Center downtownDemolition and construction began inside the Eberhard Center, and leaders called Tuesday the symbolic start of construction. Crain's reports leaders expect to finish in summer 2029. The project pairs a $101.4 million renovation of the 10-story Eberhard Center at 301 West Fulton Street with a $64.6 million addition near the Blue Bridge, mlive reports.Oct. 28 editionRead HealthRFK Jr. says more than 250 hospitals have signed a pledge to serve healthier foodU.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the milestone Monday during a Grand Rapids visit. Corewell Health helped design the voluntary Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, Kennedy told WWMT.Oct. 28 editionRead

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