Bellefontaine Police Department Officer Nathan Wise will be honored today at the annual award luncheon of the Miami Valley Crime Stoppers for his selection as the organization’s 2019 Officer of the Year.
Officer Wise was nominated for the award by Bellefontaine Police Department Chief Brandon Standley, who said the recognition is related to an incident in the fall of 2019, when award recipient was investigating a suspicious vehicle parked at the Hoffman Pool in the middle of the night.
During his investigation, Officer Wise found a 23-year old Columbus man and a 14-year old Bellefontaine boy in the backseat of the car having sexual relations. Through further investigation, it was determined that this stemmed from an online friendship in which both mutually agreed to meet.
At the conclusion of the incident, the 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with felonies. Ultimately, the defendant was sentenced in Logan County Common Pleas Court to 12-months in prison for fourth- and fifth-degree felonies, including unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, pandering obscenity involving a minor and importuning.
The defendant also was classified as a Tier II sexual offender, requiring him to report his address to law enforcement every six months for the next 25 years.
The boy informed Officer Wise that he had thoughts of suicide at the time if someone would have not have come along because he had a change of heart during the incident.
“This effort by Officer Wise not only sent a strong message to online predators, but potentially saved the boy’s life,” Chief Standley said. “This also was a strong example of how community-oriented policing works when officers are keenly aware of suspicious circumstances that they are routinely presented. By taking time to stop, investigate, and complete a professional investigation, our community is a safer place.”
Officer Wise also was previously awarded a Medal of Merit at the Bellefontaine Police Department’s Annual Awards Banquet in November.