The Opp Police Department on Tuesday promoted three investigators, Chief Mike McDonald announced.

David Harrell was promoted to captain in the criminal investigation division.

Harrell has worked for the Opp Police Department for 20 years. He has served as a patrol officer and shift supervisor in the patrol division. He has also served as an agent with the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force.

Walter Inabinett was promoted to lieutenant in the criminal investigation division.

He has been with the OPD for nine years and has served as a criminal investigator in the CID of the OPD.

Heather Koerner was promoted to sergeant in the CID.

She has been with the OPD for eight years, and has worked as a patrol officer and as a criminal investigator.

“(They are a) hard-working group with a heavy volume of criminal cases,” McDonald said. “The City of Opp is blessed to have such a fine group of people that are working to protect the citizens of Opp.”

Mayor John Bartholomew echoed McDonald.

“It was an honor for me to be present (Tuesday) for the promotion ceremony,” he said. “All three are fine examples of what’s good about law enforcement, especially here in Opp. I cannot put enough praise on the. Our patrol officers are first on the scene of crime, but these three are the ones who search evidence, interview witnesses and question suspects.”

Bartholomew said they are on duty 24/7 and have to be ready at a moment’s notice.

He called Koerner the “jewel” of the police department.

“She is known for working long hours and goes about and beyond,” he said. “I echo Chief McDonald’s sentiments that these three work a heavy volume of cases. Also, we are blessed to have these three working to protect our citizens and are also blessed with all the other mean and women who make up the Opp Police Department. They truly have a thankless job, but I hope you join me by saying congratulations to these three and thank you to all at the OPD.”