The second Miami County Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony at Troy High School drew dozens of professionals, their families and other supporters April 13.
Department leaders who presented awards emphasized the importance of the agencies recognizing excellence and supporting each other at a time when the profession has come under increased criticism.
“There is a lot of criticism and stuff going on about law enforcement … . It doesn’t take long to see the great work that is going on here in Miami County,” said Lt. Joe Gebhart of the Piqua post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Those recognized included Troy police officers and sheriff’s deputies who responded in February 2015 to an unknown problem at an Elm Street residence, where three teens lost their lives and a fourth child survived from carbon monoxide poisoning.
In Piqua, Sean Stein was selected by coworkers as Officer of the Year for his compassionate effort to collect funds for a woman whose dog was killed by another dog. The funds allowed her to adopt a new pet and have money for supplies.
Those recognized:
Covington Police: Officer of Year/Distinguished Service Award, Steve Biel; Distinguished Service Award, Robert Novelino
County Communication Center: Employee of Year, Carmajo Burghardt
State Patrol: Trooper of Year, Russ Davis; Dispatcher of Year, Ashley Thomas
Piqua Police: Officer of Year, Sean Stein; Robert C. Taylor Investigative award, Jeremy Weber
Tipp City Police: Officer of Year, Darren Soutar
Troy Police: Distinguished Service Award - Joe Long, Jeff Kunkleman, Joe Stutz, Chris Baker, Brandon Fellers, Scott Gates, John Marshall
West Milton Police: Officer of Year, Todd Daley, Jason Stevens
Sheriff’s Office: Correction Officer of Year, Kelly Mayer; Office citation, CO Nate Collett; 20-year service/retirement, CO Pat Cline
Sheriff’s Office: Deputy of Year — Shaun Shell; Life Saving Award — Warren Edmondson, Sarah Fraley, Jeremy Adams, Phil Osting, Parrish Brazel; Certificate of Merit — Dave Norman, Chris Bobb, Nate Boyer, Brazel, Edmondson, Ethan Ennist, Travis Lowry; Individual commendation — Roger Davidson, Tim Moore, Todd Tennant, Osting, Ennist, Fraley, Jason Moore, Ben Garbig, Steve Hickey, Jim Wysong, Brad Kline, Steve Lord.
FOP Lodge 58 recognition: Miami County Honor Guard with members from across county; assisting with special projects — Janna Penfield, William Lance Ray, Jeremy Weber, Kat Thomas, Jack Hoekstra, Doug Kirk, Dan Rittenhouse.
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