Raleigh recruiter hires Ragland

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Clayton police chief says he will retire

Chief of Police Gary Ragland officially announced his retirement this week after seven years as head of the town department.

Ragland's decision to step down has been the topic of conversation around town for weeks. In his retirement letter, Ragland emphasized that his retirement is a personal decision.

"In light of recent reports in the local media, I feel compelled to clarify that my final decision to retire was a purely personal decision contrary to the speculation implied in those articles," Ragland said in a letter to the town human resources officer.

Talk of police chief's resignation swirls

Police Chief Gary Ragland has not submitted a letter of resignation, but talk of his pending departure has kicked up some confusion.

Town Manager Steve Biggs and other town officials said they had no knowledge of Ragland's plans to retire. But the Clayton Town Council went into closed session Dec. 19. Town Attorney Bruce Thompson said the council was simply seeking his legal advice on a personnel matter.

Ragland, 57, went on vacation the following day. He plans to step down as chief in about six weeks, after he uses his remaining vacation days, said Bob Satterfield, a longtime friend and Town Council member.

DNA links Johnston suspect

A hit man nearly got away with murder, Clayton Police Chief Gary Ragland said Monday.

But after six years, DNA on a Halloween mask left at the scene finally led to an arrest in the death of Joseph Richard Vestal Jr.

Police charged Jonathan Lynn Jenkins, 32, of Clayton with first-degree murder in the shooting of Vestal in October 1998 at his mobile home in Clayton. Investigators think Jenkins was paid $1,000 to kill Vestal, Ragland said.

Man indicted in slaying

Clayton police say they have identified the man they suspect hired two others to kill Richard Vestal Jr. of Clayton seven years ago.

Jose Chac-n Torres, 38, was indicted this week by a Johnston County grand jury on a charge of solicitation to commit murder. Clayton Police Chief Gary Ragland said authorities think Torres, who once lived in Clayton, is in Mexico.

"We've been looking for him for a long time," Ragland said.

Improper punishment

Regardless of how one feels about AIG and the bonus debacle, we should all be more concerned and afraid of the arrogance and abuse of power displayed by Congress as it seeks to enforce selective punitive legislation retroactively. The bailout legislation permitted the payment of the bonuses (thanks, Chris Dodd), the employment contracts between AIG and the employees were legal, and the payouts were properly disclosed. The passage of the 90 percent tax rate for these bonuses is a violation of law in a free and democratic society.

Michael Ragland

Apex