Officers

James Kirsch

Officer James Kirsch has been with the department since November 2013 and a full-time officer since March of 2018. Prior to working in law enforcement, he attended the University of Cincinnati where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a certificate in Psychology. Officer Kirsch is married and has one daughter. He enjoys fishing, backpacking, running, hiking, and reading history in his spare time. Officer Kirsch was awarded Officer of the Year for 2017.

SRO Shannon Mermann

Officer Mermann has been in Law Enforcement for 19 years and has a passion for his role as Wayne Local School District's School Resource Officer. He is certified through Axon as the department's Taser Instructor. He is also an avid outdoorsman and is heavily involved with may organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Whitetails Unlimited, and is currently the President of the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Officer Mermann instructs various firearms safety classes for the public which include the National Rifle Association as a pistol instructor for CCW and the Ohio Division of Wildlife as an Ohio Hunters Education instructor. Officer Mermann also works part time at Rural King as a Masterwrench Certified Gold Technician for Stihl Power Equipment. He enjoys teaching and public service. In his spare time, Officer Mermann also enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 children.

Cpl. Jeff Little

Corporal Jeff Little has worked in the industry for several years after graduating from Miami University. He is also a high school chemistry teacher at the Warren County Career Center. He is a graduate of the Sinclair Basic Police Academy and received his commission with the Waynesville Police Department in 2007. Cpl Little has been married to his wife for 26 years and they have one daughter, who is recently graduated from Miami University. He enjoys interacting with the public while on patrol and playing golf in his free time. Cpl Little was awarded Officer of the Year for 2010 and 2019 and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2019.

Cpl. Jarrod Morris

Corporal Jarrod Morris has been with the Waynesville Police Department since 2008. He really enjoys being a police officer and takes pride in his job, helping the people in the community and keeping them safe. Cpl Morris is happily married and has three children (two sons and one daughter) and they are very proud of what he does. In his free time, he enjoys shooting, running, and riding his bike. He also enjoys helping coach his boys on their ball teams and spending time with his family. Cpl Morris was awarded Officer of the Year for 2011 and 2018 and was also promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2019.

James Walker

Officer James Walker graduated from Butler Tech Police Academy in June 2013 and was commissioned with the Waynesville Police Department in August of that year. He started full-time with the department in April of 2023. Officer Walker has coached youth girls softball, football and baseball. He also proudly served in the United States Marine Corps as well as the United States Army, both active duty time. Officer Walker enjoys shooting at the range with his children, hunting, and fishing. He has been married for 26 years and has 5 children and 4 grandchildren. He received the Officer of the Year Award for 2021.

Shawn Hershner

Officer Hershner graduated from the Butler Tech Police Academy in 2015, worked at various law enforcement agencies, and joined the Waynesville Police Department in March of 2025. He joined the Ohio Army National Guard in November 2007 and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Officer Hershner is currently a First Sergeant with the HHC 155th Chemical Battalion and on Active Duty with the Ohio National Guard Counter Drug Program, supporting the Tactical Crime Suppression Unit. He coaches high school baseball and was Metro Buckeye Conference Coach of the Year (2024). Officer Hershner is happily married with two children (a son and a daughter). In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, especially at his children's sporting events, traveling, watching the Cincinnati Reds and University of Kentucky basketball games, attending concerts, golfing, hunting, and fishing.