BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- The Massena Village Police Department is welcoming a new officer to the ranks.

Officer McCartney Countryman recently graduated from the David Sullivan Police Academy at SUNY Canton and is set to begin his field training with the department, officials say.

Countryman was raised in Massena and will fill out the ranks.

Village trustees took action during the Jan. 16 board meeting to unanimously appoint Countryman, with his appointment effective Jan. 22.

Village officials showed great enthusiasm regarding Countryman's appointment, with Mayor Greg Paquin saying he was a model student and athlete during his time at Massena Central School.

"He's a great kid, a Massena native, who I am sure will have a great impact on the community. These are the kind of hires we most like to see, a local who wants to remain in the area to help their community," Paquin previously said.

Chief of Police Jason Olson previously said the hire was a great one for the department and community alike, saying Countryman would be a great addition to the department.

"He's a great fit and we're very excited to have him joining the department as soon as he completes his time in the academy," Olson previously said.

In a recent post on the Massena Police Department's Facebook page, Countryman received an outpouring of support from community members, with over 100 comments in roughly 15 hours.

A number of community members offered their congratulations and support for Countryman, with many echoing the sentiments of Paquin and Olson.