Powell police chief makes ‘very good buy’ on vehicles

Posted 9/19/13

Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt bought two 4-year-old police vehicles last week, and he paid just $10 apiece for them. Eckerdt disclosed his purchase to the Powell City Council Monday night, and he was hailed for his efforts to save the city …

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Powell police chief makes ‘very good buy’ on vehicles

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$10 per pickup

Just call him wheelin’ and dealin’ Roy.

Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt bought two 4-year-old police vehicles last week, and he paid just $10 apiece for them. Eckerdt disclosed his purchase to the Powell City Council Monday night, and he was hailed for his efforts to save the city money.

“It was a very good buy,” he said, noting that he made the deal without prior approval, but he was sure the council would back him up. It did with enthusiasm, even suggesting painting $10 on the side of the vehicles.

“I’m serious,” said Councilman Josh Shorb. “That might be a good idea.”

The chief bought a pair of 2009 four-wheel-drive Dodge pickups from Sublette County. He drove over to Pinedale with two other people and picked up the trucks, and then delivered them back to Powell.

Eckerdt paid the $20 out of his own pocket, but was reimbursed by the city. The vehicles, one with more than 90,000 miles on it, the other with around 100,000 miles, will replace a pair of Chevrolet Impala squad cars, one a 2003, the other a 2004, that both had far more miles. They will be sold, most likely for around $1,000 apiece.

Eckerdt said since police vehicles are used almost exclusively for stop-and-start city driving, the mileage is actually about double as far as wear-and-tear on an engine.

The “new” pickups will primarily be used as supervisor’s vehicles, Eckerdt said. Once radios and city of Powell decals are added to them, they will be on the street, the chief said.

He bought two other four-wheel drives from Sublette County last year, also paying $10 apiece. One is an Expedition that he drives, and the other a pickup.

Eckerdt told the council that Sublette County is experiencing some strong financial times and wanted to help other Wyoming governments by selling them the used vehicles at a low rate.

Mayor Don Hillman will write a letter thanking the county for its generosity.

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