The Logan County Sheriff’s Office offered a special salute Thursday afternoon to honor the retirements of two individuals with nearly 60 years of experience in law enforcement between them.
Deputy Tom Meek and Sgt. Steve Sines each retire effective today, and were recognized during a retirement open house and clap-out attended by their fellow deputies and officers, family, friends and community members, offering appreciation for their service.
A 1990 Benjamin Logan High School graduate, Sgt. Sines served with the Richwood Police Department from October 1994 to April 1996 then began his time at the LCSO beginning April 13, 1996.
“Quick to listen, slow to speak. Steady Steve,” Sheriff Randy Dodds said in a slideshow played during the open house. “The most even-tempered deputy I have ever worked with. It has been a pleasure to serve with him. God-speed, Steve Sines, on the next chapter of your life.”
Chief Deputy Joe Kopus said he has worked with Sgt. Sines for the last 25 years and has been on numerous shifts and calls with him.
“I have never seen Steve upset on a call; he always kept level-headed,” he said. “I thank Steve Sines for his years of service to Logan County. Sgt. Sines has shown duty, honor and courage throughout his career.”
Deputy Meek began his law enforcement career with the Bellefontaine Police Department from April 1992 to March 2000. Then, he started serving with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office on March 4, 2000.
“He has vast knowledge and pays great attention to detail and cares deeply about his profession,” Sheriff Dodds said in the slideshow. “It has been a pleasure to serve with him. God-speed, Tom Meek, on the next chapter of your life.”
Chief Deputy Kopus said he also has served alongside Deputy Meek for about 25 years and related that the deputy “doesn’t leave a house or a call without all questions answered either from the victim or the suspect.
“Deputy Meek is very thorough on all of his calls and reports. A disorderly conduct report for most deputies would be two paragraphs. Not Tom’s, his would be two pages.
“I thank Deputy Meek for his years of service to Logan County. Deputy Meek has shown true honor, duty and integrity throughout his career.”
In his early years, Deputy Meek said he grew up in Grove City and his future career choice was influenced by his father, who served as a Columbus Police Department officer. Following high school graduation, he served active duty in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 1989 and then enlisted in the National Guard from 1989 to 1992.
National Guard drills and training brought him to the Bellefontaine area, and that’s when he learned that the Bellefontaine Police Department was looking for new officers. After being hired at the Bellefontaine Police Department, he attended the police academy through the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
It’s been a rewarding career, Deputy Meek said, relating that he likes being able to “help people, especially those who are frightened or feeble.”
He said working with juveniles and helping to defuse domestic situations are some of his favorite types of calls to handle.
“With domestic disturbances, the involved parties oftentimes don’t have good communication skills when they’re frustrated and they need a neutral party to hear them out. Many times we can help to de-escalate the situation and an arrest is not required.
“With juveniles, sometimes they feel like they’re not being heard and they don’t have a voice. I like being able to give them the same attentiveness and objectivity that I would give their parents.
“It’s about treating people with the dignity that they deserve.”