Chief Ellis has been with the Forsyth Police Department since 2011, serving as the
department’s assistant police chief and investigator before being promoted to the
position of Police Chief. Prior to joining the department, Chief Ellis worked as
an Alaska State Trooper for more than 20 years and with the Taney County Sheriff’s
Department for 12 years. As a trooper, Chief Ellis was awarded the medal of valor,
the meritorious service medal, a Trooper of the Year award, and two out-post Trooper
of the Year awards.
Chief Ellis is a proud veteran of the US Army, serving as an Infantry Paratrooper
with the 82nd Airborne Division during the Viet Nam War era and overseas in Korea.
He is a member of the Forsyth VFW and served as Post Commander from 2008 through
2009.
Michelle Pugh
Senior Patrol Officer
Senior Patrol Officer Pugh joined the Forsyth Police Department in 2009 after graduating
from the Missouri Sheriff’s Association Law Enforcement Academy in Reeds Spring,
Missouri. Officer Pugh works as a patrol officer, responding to calls for service,
investigating crimes, enforcing traffic laws and preserving the peace in our community.
She also performs duties related to the department’s computer systems.
Officer Pugh became the department's reserve program coordinator in October of 2011. Her
duties as such include overseeing reserve work schedules, coordinating special events
and overseeing reserve officer meetings.
Steve Huggins
Staff Sergeant / SRO / DARE Instructor
Staff Sergeant Huggins is the department’s administrative sergeant and school resource
officer/DARE instructor for the Forsyth School District. He began his law enforcement
career with the Forsyth Police Department in 1991 as a patrol officer. In 1995,
Staff Sergeant Huggins graduated from Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructor
school in Springfield, Illinois and in 1996 received his School Resource Officer
(SRO) certification in Overland Park, Kansas. His duties as staff sergeant include
supervising officers, scheduling, training coordination, reviewing reports, and working
directly with the the Chief of Police on all projects and operational matters of
the department.
Staff Sergeant Huggins serves the school five days per week during the school year,
providing 10 weeks of curriculum to nearly 100 sixth grade students and assisting
parents, students, and staff with law enforcement-related matters. Staff Sergeant
Huggins is also actively involved with school sports programs and community groups.
He has assisted Boy Scout Troop 120 in achieving their 1997 National Crime Prevention
Award and was named the 2014-2015 Lake Taneycomo Elks Lodge Distinguished Citizen
of the Year.
Billy Murphy
Detective/Patrol Officer
Detective Billy Murphy joined the department in 2012 as a patrol officer. In 2015,
he was promoted to Detective/Patrol Officer. Detective Murphy began his career in
law enforcement in 2011 after serving 6 years of active duty in the US Army as a
transportation specialist. Detective Murphy served 25 months in Iraq, earning the
Combat Action Badge.
Det. Murphy enjoys his duties as detective, patrol officer, and field training officer
and appreciates the opportunity to assist citizens and visitors.
Viviana Giraldo
Patrol Officer
Officer Viviana Giraldo joined the FPD in 2012 as a reserve patrol officer and was
hired as a full-time officer in 2013. She works as a patrol officer, responding to
calls for service, investigating crimes, enforcing traffic laws, and preserving peace
in our community. Officer Giraldo is responsible for the accident reporting software
and provides Spanish language translation assistance to both the Forsyth Police Department
and other local agencies.
Officer Giraldo completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2015.
She enjoys working as a police officer and performs her duties in a meritorious
manner.
Roger B. Ellis
Patrol Officer
Chad Swanson
Patrol Officer
Officer Chad Swanson joined the Forsyth Police Department as a reserve officer in
2015. After graduating from Drury Law Enforcement Academy, he was hired as a full
time officer and currently works in the Patrol Division.
Officer Swanson, a Republic, Missouri, native, served 6 years in the US Army as a
Combat Medical Technician, retiring with the rank of Sergeant. Following his military
service, he worked as a firefighter and a paramedic before enrolling in the law enforcement
academy.
