Embattled police chief resigns

Facing charges of seven counts of cruelty to animals, Melrose’s police chief resigned Friday, according to the village mayor.

Mike Trammell, 36, had been on administrative leave since his Oct. 11 arrest on the charges.

Trammell’s wife, Marna Pyle-Trammell, declined comment Friday.

Melrose Mayor Lance Pyle said Trammell was not asked to resign.

“It was his choice to resign from the village of Melrose, and I accepted his resignation,” said Pyle, who is not related to Trammell’s wife.

The resignation came as Pyle was concluding an administrative investigation, he said.

“This was a surprise. I was planning on wrapping up my investigation and handling it administratively in the next couple of days,” Pyle said.

The charges against Trammell stem from allegedly shooting dogs.

Curry County Sheriff-elect Matt Murray has been filling in as Melrose police chief during the investigation. He will continue serving as chief until a replacement is found or he becomes sheriff in January, Pyle said.