New police chief takes over in Wheeling

The Wheeling Police Department has a new chief — its third in less than a year.

Joseph Kopecky, who previously was one of Wheeling’s two deputy chiefs, was sworn in during Monday night’s village board meeting.

As is tradition, Kopecky’s wife, Windy, pinned his new badge to his uniform while their children, relatives and others observed.

“I’m truly honored and excited to lead this department,” Kopecky told the Daily Herald afterward. “Our officers genuinely care about the community and strive every day to be their best, and I’m proud to support them in that mission.”

Village Manager Jon Sfondilis appointed Kopecky chief. The move doesn’t need board approval.

Kopecky succeeds Interim Chief Bill Murphy, who was brought aboard in June 2025 following the departure of Chief Jamie Dunne. Dunne stepped down as chief in April 2025 following a no-confidence vote and public criticism from the officers under his command.

The department’s rank-and-file had demanded Dunne be removed and replaced by someone from within the agency.

The search for a new chief was done internally, Sfondilis said. Kopecky and fellow Deputy Police Chief were the only candidates interviewed.

“We recognized we had the talent in-house,” Sfondilis said.

Kopecky joined the Wheeling police force as a patrol officer in 1997. Through the years, he served in investigations and in command-level positions.

Kopecky was deputy police chief for less than a year. He was promoted to that post from commander in August as part of a flurry of top personnel changes within the department.

Kopecky will collect a roughly $199,000 base annual salary as chief, up from about $176,000, Sfondilis said.