Hired under the Duncan Wiggins administration in June 2020, Tristan Wampler has made a few stops before landing at the Cadiz Police Department.
An eight-year veteran whose last station was Fort Campbell, he has familial ties to Louisiana, Mississippi and Indiana — before south western Kentucky became home for his wife and eight children.
Trigg County became more home-like for him this past Monday, when he was sworn in by Mayor Todd King and alongside Police Chief Tyler Thomas to be the city’s next assistant police chief — replacing a position left vacant when Jack Lingenfelter moved into the city administrative officer role.
A native of Bloomington, Indiana, Wampler was first promoted at CPD in 2023 to be a first-line supervisor for patrol efforts around the city, after working as a patrolman and evidence technician.
Now, his responsibilities grow.
More uniquely, Wampler is currently in pursuit of further education. After earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology, he has opted to enter into an online Master’s Degree program for social work through Liberty University.
Asked if social work specifically belongs in police departments, Wampler said there is a time and place for immediate response, as well as perpetual health and mental wellness.
Like other officers in the Commonwealth, he’s taken part in critical incidence training — which are basic classes on de-escalation, problem solving and critical thinking ideals during potentially hostile situations.
Still, he said police work and sociology don’t always work in tandem.
Thomas, meanwhile, called Wampler “wholly qualified” for the promotion, and a boon for the department.
Thomas confirmed that, as of now, two new patrol officers are in training, and that the CPD is currently fully staffed.
