From left, Chief Brian Valenti, soon-to-be Capt. Justin Bradbury, soon to be Lt. Jay Zerhusen, the retiring Capt. Robert Rose, and Assistant Chief Justin Wietholter.
Leadership changes at Covington Police
COVINGTON, Ky. – Covington Police Captain Robert Rose is retiring after a quarter century with the Department, and his departure is opening the doors for two experienced officers to move to a higher rank.
At the weekly meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, City leaders took three steps:
- Formally accepted Rose’s resignation, as of Aug. 31.
- Promoted Lt. Justin Bradbury to captain, effective Sept. 1.
- Promoted Sgt. Jay Zerhusen to lieutenant, effective Sept. 1.
“We’re looking forward to you sliding seamlessly into the management team of the Police Department, Covington does have an extraordinary Police Department, with really exceptional community relations and high quality, great policies,” Mayor Joe Meyer said. “It’s part of our organization that we’re incredibly proud of, and that’s tribute to the leadership at the Police Department.”
Rose became a patrol officer in Covington in Aug. 23, 1999, and moved up the ranks, becoming a captain in October 2022. He served in all four bureaus, including roles as Administrative Bureau Commander, Criminal Investigations Assistant Commander, Patrol Watch Commander, Traffic Unit Supervisor, Accreditation Manager and CSU Detective.
He also served over 15 years in the Department's Honor Guard and acted as Officer in Charge for several of those years before passing the torch. He is a military veteran, having served for over 33 years between the Marines and the Army.
Rose thanked the Commission, Police leadership, and his family.
“We appreciate everything you’ve done for our City,” Mayor Pro Tem Ron Washington said.
Added Mayor Joe Meyer: “It won’t be the same place without you here. You’ve just been a stalwart at all these events, and we certainly do appreciate your contribution.”
Bradbury joined the Covington Police Department on Jan. 9, 2005, and was named a lieutenant in October 2022.
He is currently assigned as the acting D-Team Bureau Commander, where Valenti said he will remain. He has been serving as the Department’s Public Information Officer and is responsible, Valenti said, “for moving our PIO program into the 21st Century with Constant Contact and much improved social media presence.”
Prior assignments include Patrol Lieutenant and Sergeant, Criminal Investigations Bureau Lieutenant and Sergeant, DART, and Major Case Detective.
Bradbury is a graduate of the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Academy of Police Supervision, has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wright State University, and was awarded the Covington Rotary Club’s “Service Above Self” Award in 2011.
“I’ve had a very blessed career, and I’ve gotten to do a lot of really awesome things, and as the Chief read down my list, I reflected on a lot of it,” Bradbury said. “It’s been a really fulfilling career for me, and I have a lot of that to thank the men and women that I’ve served with … they’ve made my life easier in all the jobs that I’ve done. They’ve always worked as a team with me, and that’s always made my job easier.”
Sergeant Zerhusen joined the Covington Police Department on Aug. 31, 2008, and is currently assigned as a First Shift Patrol supervisor. Prior assignments include Field Training Officer, Bike Officer, Criminal Investigations Detective, and SWAT Sniper Team Leader.
Zerhusen is a graduate of the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Academy of Police Supervision and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern Kentucky University.
Zerhusen also thanked the Commission and his family, as well as the officers he’s served with over the last 16 years.
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