(Cushing, Okla.) He’s known it for a couple of weeks now, but with the Public Safety Center Open House and move-in taking precedence, few people have known about his news.
Major Charles (Chuck) Claxton, 14 year veteran of the Cushing Police Department, was recently appointed by Police Chief Tully Folden and City Manager Steve Spears, as Deputy Chief of Police in Cushing.
A “hometown boy,” Claxton was born and raised in Cushing. He attended Harrison Elementary, Cushing Middle School and is a 1991 graduate of Cushing High School. Upon graduation he attended college, but quit before graduating. After a time on the police force, he went on to get his Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science degree.
One could say law enforcement is in his blood. Claxton’s grandfather, Olen Wilson, served as Chief of Police in Drumright and also served in Anadarko. Although his grandfather did serve as an example, Claxton said it was his desire to help people that was the driving force that led him into law enforcement.
“I really like helping people,” Claxton said in an interview on KUSH’s morning show Tuesday. “I like going to the schools and talking to the kids – letting them know we are there to help.”
When asked what his goal is as Deputy Chief, Claxton said he is looking forward to rebuilding the department with staff. Cushing Police Department has been short-staffed for some time, but there is hope on the horizon. Claxton said they currently have two attending the Academy, one in Field Officer Training and another starting the process. “In January, we will have four new officers,” he said.
As for now, Claxton said he’s just ready to get “settled in” – not only in his role as Deputy Chief, but in the new Public Safety Center. “We still have a lot a moving left to do.”
Major Claxton is married to Karri and they have two children, Dawson, who is almost 8 and Kyler, age 4.
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