Former Tamaqua and Rush Township patrolman Kyle Woodward has been promoted to the rank of sergeant by the Baltimore County Police Department in Maryland. The promotion became effective April 10.

A graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and the Allentown Police Academy, Woodward began his career with the Baltimore County force in 1998, patrolling the streets.Over the years, he worked his way up to the position of corporal, working in the Criminal Investigations Department, the Crimes Against Children Division and was a supervisor of the Criminal Apprehension Support Team.While with that team, which is tasked with tracking down all homicide and attempted homicide suspects, he was awarded a Silver Star, Baltimore County's second highest award for valor in the line of duty, in 2012. Woodward and another officer were tracking a homicide suspect in Baltimore City when they came under fire. Following a prolonged foot chase, additional shots were exchanged and the suspect was finally caught.That suspect was eventually charged, found guilty of multiple homicides, and is now serving multiple life terms in prison.Currently assigned to Precinct 4 Pikesville, his new duties will include supervising the shift two Liberty Road Squad. He will also fill in as shift commander for the precinct, which has approximately 100 law enforcement officers.He is the son of George and Janice Woodward of Tamaqua and has two children, Logan, 13, and Tristan, 15.Sgt. Woodward has extended an invitation to his former departments, and any other local law enforcement officials, who may be interested in discovering how law enforcement differs, while staying the same, from small towns to large counties and state to state.His contact information is available in the Times News Tamaqua office.