Lebanon announced a new chief of police on Monday, after the former head of the department was demoted over an inappropriate Facebook comment exposed by the wife of the county sheriff.

Mayor Matthew Gentry has appointed Officer Chad Morgan to the role, the city said in a statement on Facebook. He will begin in the position "immediately."

“I love the Lebanon Police Department and I love this community,” Morgan said in the statement. “I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to lead this department, and I am excited to begin this new journey.”

Morgan's appointment comes after now-former Chief Tyson Warmoth was removed from his position and demoted to captain over a 2-year-old Facebook comment Warmoth described as "inappropriate and immature."

Warmoth made the comment while joking with his adult son on Facebook, he said in a statement Friday.

The comment made references to the mothers of his son's friends and used a slur for the women, “sluts.”

The post was brought to light by the wife of Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen. Linda Nielsen said she captured the since-deleted comment in February 2017 because she felt her daughter was being mistreated by Warmoth and his department.

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Warmoth was suspended for three days without pay and then demoted, but he was allowed to remain on the force, according to the city.

"This comment was crass, demeaning, and unacceptable," Gentry said. "As mayor, I have strict ethical policies, and high expectations how city employees in leadership positions carry themselves. Tyson violated that policy and significant changes were necessary."

Warmoth's successor, Morgan, joined the department in 1994. Last year, he was named Officer of the Year and was awarded the Medal of Bravery for his actions on March 2, 2018, when Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett was fatally shot while pursuing a suspect.

“I am extremely pleased that an officer as highly respected as Chad Morgan has accepted the role of Police Chief,” Gentry said. “Chad is someone who has been dedicated to the department, carrying himself with the utmost dignity for nearly three decades. I am confident Chief Morgan will do a great job leading the department and will serve our city honorably.”

IndyStar reporter John Tuohy contributed to this report.

Contact IndyStar reporter Crystal Hill at 317-444-6094 or cnhill@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @crysnhill.

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