GREENUP, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A former police officer is behind bars, facing a long list of serious charges.

People in the town of Greenup who used to know Lowell Steven Waddell were shocked to find out why he was arrested.

"It completely came out of left field," Greenup City Attorney Stephen McGinnis said. "I was shocked to hear the news, couldn't have been more stunned by it."

Waddell is facing 11 charges, including four counts of incest and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

Greenup Commonwealth Attorney Mel Leonhart says Waddell is accused of sexually abusing a relative who was younger than 16.

The suspect is also charged with possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor and promoting sexual performance by a minor.

"He seemed like a normal guy," Greenup resident Camron Crum said. "I just couldn't see him doing anything like that, what he's accused of."

"Our prayers are really with the victim and his family to hope they can heal and hope justice is served," McGinnis said.

Kentucky State Police are leading the investigation.

The abuse allegedly happened between August 2012 and May 2013 after Waddell no longer served on the Greenup Police Department.

"Steve was a police officer who did his job, but ultimately we had to part ways with him," McGinnis said.

The city attorney says Waddell was let go more than 10 years ago, but that his departure had nothing to do with any sort of behavior related to these charges.

"It doesn't represent our police department," McGinnis said. "We have officers here who are great guys, all three of them, and if we find someone who we don't think we can trust, we send them on their way immediately."

Waddell lives in Greenup and was arrested in Charleston by West Virginia State Police.

He's being held in the South Central Regional Jail, where he denied our request for an interview.

Waddell is due in court April 6 in West Virginia.

Bond was set at $150,000 cash.