Police Chief Debuts New Clifton Forge Police Car During 'Chessie Car Show'
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer | Clifton Forge, VA (July 12, 2025)— During the second annual "Chessie Car Show," held at the C&O Railway Heritage Center at 705 Main Street in Clifton Forge, the Journal caught up with Clifton Forge Police Chief Scott Balser who shared some exciting news with us. Not only did the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office donate a police car to the Clifton Forge Police Department (CFPD), but the CFPD cars are getting a new design as well.
The first of the newly-designed cars —the one which was donated— was featured in today's car show. The snazzy car was redesigned using a combination of Balser's vision and the artistic talents of Image Express. "I wanted to go back to the roots," Balser said, pointing out the green and gold colors.
As most residents are aware, green and gold were the school colors of Clifton Forge High School (CFHS). The school was built in 1926 and was home of the CFHS Mountaineers for 56 years until it was shut down in 1983 when it merged with Alleghany High School (AHS).
The remodeled car also features the infamous "Chessie font" in the writing of "Clifton Forge" on the side of the car. Chessie the cat, named after the "Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railway" was an idea birthed in 1933 by the C&O Historical Society. Chessie the cat, often depicted as a sleeping cat to highlight the soothing rest one could get riding the C&O, was first featured in a calendar sold by the C&O in 1934.
According to Balser, Chessie will eventually be added to the police car which was featured in today's car show, as well as on the upcoming cars for the CFPD. Balser expects to have about five more cars completely finished and on the road in the next year. | |
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