Retired Police Chief Mike Kovalyk dies at age 72

BELLAIRE, Ohio (WTRF) – Mike Kovalyk spent 40 years with the Bellaire Police Department, the last 12 of those as chief. After retiring, he went on to be a Belmont County Sheriff’s deputy and resource officer at Belmont Career Center for the past five years. Friends and family say Kovalyk knew everyone in Bellaire — and their license plate numbers! They say he had a genuine comraderie with the people. “Mike, to me, was a very gentle man,” said Bellaire Mayor Edward Marling. “He was always willing to help. He liked to take time off to go hunting and things…