Transfer to Portsmouth effective Monday

 

After more than 20 years in Lawrence County, Ohio State Highway Patrol Ironton Post Commander Lt. Mike Gore is being transferred to Scioto County.

Gore said he was notified about two weeks ago that he was needed to take command of the Portsmouth post after Lt. Karla Taulbee was transferred to lead the Jackson District Criminal Patrol Unit.

Gore said his time in Lawrence County has been positive.

“This is home,” Gore said. “It’s where I raised my kids. I have deep ties to everybody in the community, not just in Lawrence County, but in the counties into the two states.”

Gore, 51, is originally from Meigs County and grew up with close relationship to many patrolmen.

While earning his bachelor’s degree in English from Rio Grande, Gore worked at a cinema where troopers frequented and continued to develop a rapport.

It wasn’t until he lost his brother Tim in a car accident in 1983 that Gore decided to join the OSHP.

“Life tends to make some left turns when you least expect it,” Gore said. “I just got to thinking, I wish I could make a difference.”

Gore said his brother’s death had a serious impact on him and ever since, his mantra has been “we can make a difference with what we do.”

“I’d like to try and save some other brothers and sisters and sons and daughters from being killed in senseless crashes,” Gore said.

Gore spent the majority of his OSHP career at the Ironton Post. He was assigned to the Ironton post in 1987, was promoted to sergeant and transferred to the Jackson post, and returned to Ironton in 1999.

In 2005 Gore was promoted to lieutenant and took command of the Ironton post. His last day is Friday and he takes command of the Portsmouth post Monday.

Sgt. Barry Call from the Gallipolis post will be promoted to lieutenant and take command of the Ironton post Friday.

Gore said he would miss everyone at the Ironton post but is optimistic about his new post.

“These folks who work here, they are not my employees, they are my family,” Gore said. “I’m going to really miss them. But I’m looking forward to making a new family in Portsmouth.”