The Guthrie County Sheriff’s office has hired a new deputy.

Nathan Grove will fill a position left vacant by the firing of former Deputy Rod Pavelka, in December. His salary will be paid through a 28E agreement with the City of Guthrie Center.

Grove  was the only certified officer out of 17 applicants to complete a physical fitness test and Police Officer Selection Test on February 27th. He has served as an officer in the Manning Police Department since May 2015. Prior to that, he worked in security and at a daycare in his hometown of West Des Moines. Grove holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Grand View University, and performed an internship with the West Des Moines Police Department while in school.

Sheriff Marty Arganbright says Grove was well-liked during the interview process. “When we interviewed him, all the deputies and myself all marked him high on our evaluations, so we got together and everyone was in agreement to hire Nathan (Grove).”

Grove’s first day working for Guthrie County will be April 1st. Arganbright adds that Grove will train with experienced deputies for about a month before working mainly the overnight shift.