Miami County Law Enforcement agencies gathering together for the second year April 13 for a countywide awards ceremony heard a common theme of the importance of recognizing excellence and agencies supporting each other.
“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,” Lt. Joe Gebhart of the Piqua post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
Billie Ray, president of the Miami County FOP Lodge 58, said a symbolic “Sacrifice Award” goes to the families and supporters of those working in law enforcement daily. Those at the ceremony were recognized with a round of applause. “Our loved ones deserve that, and more,” Ray said.
Among department awards were the Distinguished Service Award presented by Troy Police Chief Charles Phelps to Troy police officers who responded Feb. 27, 2015, to an Elm Street residence on a report of four unresponsive children. Sheriff’s deputies received life saving awards.
Officers performed CPR, drove ambulance, secured the area and took other measures. Three of the four children died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Tipp City Police Chief Eric Burris presented the Officer of the Year award to Darren Soutar. Fellow officers choose the recipient. Soutar was recognized at a Tipp City Council meeting earlier this year.
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
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.
West Milton Police: Officer of Year, Todd Daley, Jason Stevens; Meritorious Service to officers from three agencies for helping to bring a dangerous situation involving a motorist to a safe/quick conclusion – Tipp City, Greg Adkins; West Milton, Ross Grove; Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service: Boyer, Brazel, Edmondson, Ennist, Lowry.
FOP Lodge 58 recognition: Miami County Honor Guard with members from across county – Chris Baker, Shawn McKinney and Adam Simpson, Troy PD; Dave Thomas, Piqua PD; Marc Basye, Corey Rismiller, Darren Soutar and Adam Grubb, Tipp City PD: Todd Tennant and Travis Lowry, Sheriff’s Office; and Ross Grove, West Milton, PD. Recognition for assisting with special projects – Janna Penfield, William Lance Ray, Jeremy Weber, Kat Thomas, Jack Hoekstra, Doug Kirk, Dan Rittenhouse.
