Oran hires police chief

ORAN, Mo. -- A police chief's job description usually doesn't include housekeeping duties like vacuuming and dusting. But when no one has occupied an office for more than two months, some cleaning is necessary.

On Tuesday, his first day as Oran's new police chief, cleanup was only one part of Steve Shoemaker's job. As time goes on he'll face a much bigger task -- restoring the police department's relationship with the community in the wake of Marc Tragesser's tenure as chief.

Tragesser resigned Nov. 7 after becoming chief in the summer of 2005. His two full-time employees also resigned, leaving Oran without an in-house law enforcement presence.

Tragesser, a native of Charleston, Mo., made numerous enemies in the town with his strict approach to law enforcement and a personality some saw as confrontational. The controversy over Tragesser and his job performance split the small Scott County community, influencing town politics and sometimes causing rifts in families.

Unlike Tragesser, Shoemaker is a lifelong resident of the Oran area. He worked as a police officer in the U.S. Air Force for three years, followed by five years at the Chaffee Police Department and 23 years with the Scott County Sheriff's Department, from which he retired in November.

"I know everybody," said the 56-year-old Shoemaker.

Knowing everybody may be the key to a better relationship between residents and the police chief, said Oran resident Michael Stevens. Stevens, grandson of Tragesser's predecessor, Howard Stevens, was a vocal critic of Tragesser.

"I think Steve will fit in pretty good here," Stevens said, citing Shoemaker's outgoing personality and familiarity with Oran's residents.

Shoemaker is optimistic about his new job -- currently as Oran's only law enforcement officer. He says he has no worries about any negativity some residents may have developed toward the police department due to their disagreements with Tragesser.

"I was basically raised with everybody here. I think it will be fine," Shoemaker said.

He didn't want to talk about past disagreements between townspeople and the former chief but knew Tragesser and said he was a "good guy."

The Oran Board of Aldermen voted to hire Shoemaker on Jan. 9 in closed session, with five of the board's eight members voting for him, two abstaining, and one absent. City Clerk Melissa Pobst did not release information on how each alderman voted, saying she didn't know whether the information was public record.

Mayor Tom Urhahn and Ward 3 Alderwoman Brenda Cook declined comment. Calls to other aldermen with listed telephone numbers were not returned.

Shoemaker was the only person hired out of a field of 13 candidates, though the city advertised two positions -- a chief and a patrolman. Shoemaker said he wasn't sure but that more hires may be on the way.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182