Published: July 22, 2008 10:26 pm      

St. Francis’ top cop returning to Johnstown post

Larry Wagner, a veteran Johnstown police detective, isn’t leaving the city force after all.

Wagner had resigned in June to accept a job as director of campus police at St. Francis University in Loretto, where he headed a force of six full-time and two part-time officers.

But, he said he quickly learned after starting the job July 7, the new position “was pretty much administrative duties. I didn’t realize it wasn’t for me until I got there to see what was involved.”

His love of police and investigative work drew him back to the city. He was hired in 1989 and became a detective that same year.

“I realized I was not ready to give up what I’m doing,” Wagner said.

Wagner, who was back on the job Tuesday with the city, had the option – under the police labor contract – to return within 30 days.

“It’s like I never left,” he said.

But Wagner praised the St. Francis administrators and employees.

“The people there – I can’t say enough nice things about them. They’re so understanding and so warm,” he said.

The university’s search committee will reconvene next week to figure out how to proceed.

More than 60 applications had been received in the national search for a replacement for William Ellick, who retired in February as campus police director.