Westminster honors retiring police chief Thomas Ledwell; acting chief named

Westminster Mayor Dr. Mona Becker and the common council honored Police Chief Thomas Ledwell with a mayoral proclamation at the meeting on Aug. 25, and Mayor Becker said Major Price will serve as acting chief when Ledwell retires.

The proclamation, read at the meeting, said Ledwell served as chief of police for the City of Westminster from 03/01/2019 to 08/30/2025 and credited him with modernizing department policies, improving evidence management and securing grants. The mayor's remarks praised Ledwell's leadership: "You have built a department of respect and discipline, honor and dedication," Becker said during the meeting.

Why it matters: Council members and regional law-enforcement partners credited Ledwell with leading or supporting programs that city officials said changed how first responders and public health agencies respond to overdoses and behavioral-health crises. Several speakers at the meeting described collaborative, cross-agency efforts that the city attributes in part to Ledwell's leadership.

Officials detailed Ledwell's role in local overdose-response work and diversion programs. The Carroll County Health Department's remarks, read into the record, listed the formation in 2021 of an overdose response protocol action team led in part by Ledwell; development of a uniform overdose follow-up protocol; creation of a quick response team (QRT) that the statement said includes two certified peer specialists and a case manager; training for first responders to reduce stigma; and the Narcan "leave behind" distribution at overdose scenes. The health-department text said those initiatives contributed to a significant decline in overdose deaths in Carroll County.

Sheriff Luis of the county praised Ledwell's collaborative approach, saying, "Tom's been the absolute epitome of that," and credited regular coordination among the sheriff's office, the state's attorney's office, Maryland State Police and Westminster Police for keeping the city safe.

Ledwell spoke briefly at the meeting, thanking staff and his family and highlighting recent police work. He noted a recent robbery case in which detectives used video and a tattoo identification to locate and obtain a guilty plea. He also introduced staffing changes: the council and staff were told that Major Price will serve as acting chief when Ledwell leaves and that Jason Jones will be sworn in as a patrol commander the day after the meeting.

About Jason Jones: meeting remarks described Jones as an officer with more than 26 years' experience, experience as an acting precinct commander in Portland, Oregon, a graduate of the FBI National Academy, and the holder of a PhD in leadership. The remarks said Jones would have a four-day overlap with outgoing leadership.

Discussion versus decisions: The mayor issued the ceremonial proclamation honoring Ledwell (the proclamation text was read and marked "Adopted this August"). The mayor also announced an administrative appointment (Major Price as acting chief) and staff hires; those personnel moves were presented as administrative actions and not recorded as separate council votes in the meeting minutes.

Community reaction: Multiple council members and city staff offered tributes during the meeting, citing Ledwell's work on community policing, officer training, evidence management and public safety partnerships. Tina Miller, executive director of the nonprofit Action for Kindness, and other residents thanked Ledwell for community outreach and neighborhood engagement.

What's next: The mayor said Major Price will lead the department as acting chief beginning after Ledwell's final day (noted in the proclamation as Aug. 30, 2025). The council did not take legislative actions related to police policy at this meeting.

Ending: Council members said they will hold a short agenda this evening to emphasize Ledwell's retirement, with routine business deferred or kept brief so the body could honor the chief.