From left, Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney swears in new Soldotna Police Officers AJ Fresquez and Reid Culver while Police Chief Dale "Gene" Meek and other officers look on during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna swears in two new police officers

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney swore in two new Soldotna police officers during Wednesday’s meeting of the Soldotna City Council, where they received their badges and took their oaths of office.

Officer Reid Culver, who was born and raised in northern California, is a former U.S. Army medic with six years of military experience that includes a deployment to Iraq. After finishing his enlistment, Culver spent five years with the California Highway Patrol before relocating to Alaska with his wife and three daughters to join the Soldotna Police Department. Culver’s badge was pinned on him at Wednesday’s council meeting by his wife.

Officer AJ Fresquez hails from Colorado and has an extensive family history in law enforcement. She’s a former EMT who likes spending time outside with her malinois, Bane. Together, Fresquez and Bane enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing and watching sunsets.

“I’m very excited to be here in Alaska and ready to get to work,” Fresquez is quoted as saying in a statement provided by the Soldotna Police Department.

Fresquez’ badge was pinned on by Soldotna Police Chief Dale “Gene” Meek, who presented the two as new officers after they took their oath of office.

“By the substantial oath of office that they just took, they’re stipulating that they’re going to protect this community and hold this badge in its honor,” Meek said. “If you notice that the badge is worn over the heart it’s because our hearts should be pure in the duties that we perform.”

Wednesday’s Soldotna City Council meeting can be streamed on the city’s website at soldotna.org.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

From left, Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney swears in new Soldotna Police Officers AJ Fresquez and Reid Culver while Police Chief Dale “Gene” Meek looks on during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

From left, Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney swears in new Soldotna Police Officers AJ Fresquez and Reid Culver while Police Chief Dale “Gene” Meek looks on during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Kenai River Brown Bears goalie Nils Wallstrom celebrates winning a shootout over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Brown Bears sweep Ice Dogs, move into 3rd place

The Kenai River Brown Bears earned a two-game sweep over the Fairbanks… Continue reading

The waters of Cook Inlet lap against Nikishka Beach in Nikiski, Alaska, where several local fish sites are located, on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Unprecedented closures threaten setnet way of life

Setnetters have been vocal about their opposition to the way their fishery is managed

Legislative fiscal analysts Alexei Painter, right, and Conor Bell explain the state’s financial outlook during the next decade to the Senate Finance Committee on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Legislators eye oil and sales taxes due to fiscal woes

Bills to collect more from North Slope producers, enact new sales taxes get hearings next week.

Expert skateboarder Di’Orr Greenwood, an artist born and raised in the Navajo Nation in Arizona and whose work is featured on the new U.S. stamps, rides her skateboard next to her artworks in the Venice Beach neighborhood in Los Angeles Monday, March 20, 2023. On Friday, March 24, the U.S. Postal Service is debuting the “Art of the Skateboard,” four stamps that will be the first to pay tribute to skateboarding. The stamps underscore how prevalent skateboarding has become, especially in Indian Country, where the demand for designated skate spots has only grown in recent years. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Indigenous artists help skateboarding earn stamp of approval

The postal agency ceremoniously unveiled the “Art of the Skateboard” stamps in a Phoenix skate park

Bruce Jaffa, of Jaffa Construction, speaks to a group of students at Seward High School’s Career Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward students talk careers at fair

More than 50 businesses were represented

Alaska state Sen. Bert Stedman, center, a co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, listens to a presentation on the major North Slope oil project known as the Willow project on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. The committee heard an update on the project from the state Department of Natural Resources and the state Department of Revenue. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Official: Willow oil project holds promise, faces obstacles

State tax officials on Thursday provided lawmakers an analysis of potential revenue impacts and benefits from the project

Jerry Burnett, chair of the Board of Game, speaks during their Southcentral meeting on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Board of Game decides on local proposals

Trapping setbacks, archery hunts and duck restrictions were up for consideration

Audre Hickey testifies in opposition to an ordinance that would implement a citywide lewdness prohibition in Soldotna during a city council meeting on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council kills citywide lewdness ordinance

The decision followed lengthy public comment

Samantha Springer, left, and Michelle Walker stand in the lobby of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Springer named new head of Kenai chamber

Springer, who was raised in Anchorage, said she’s lived on the Kenai Peninsula since 2021

Most Read