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Merced swears in new interim police chief

By Sun-Star staff
New Merced Interim Police Chief Tom Cavallero is shown with his wife Wendy, who pinned the badge on his uniform during a brief swearing-in ceremony Tuesday.
New Merced Interim Police Chief Tom Cavallero is shown with his wife Wendy, who pinned the badge on his uniform during a brief swearing-in ceremony Tuesday. Courtesy City of Merced

Former Merced County Sheriff Tom Cavallero was sworn in Tuesday as the city of Merced’s new interim police chief.

Cavallero’s wife Wendy pinned the badge on his uniform during a brief ceremony, which was attended by his friends and extended family, according to a city news release.

Cavallero, who served in the Sheriff’s Department for 35 years, will oversee the police department until a new chief is selected to replace Chris Goodwin, who retired from the chief role in December, according to a city news release.

He rose through the ranks of the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, from deputy to undersheriff, before being hired as sheriff coroner in 2013.

The city of Merced will conduct a nationwide search for a permanent police chief.

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