Accolades presented at annual recognition night
State Rep. Jon Cross (R-Kenton) asked deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office during the agency’s annual recognition banquet Thursday evening to take out a pen and paper and write down his cell phone number, requesting that they call him anytime they’re having a bad day on the job or are feeling discouraged.
“What does it mean to back law enforcement?” he asked those in attendance during the event at the Winner Harvest Barn. “It’s not about posting, ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with you’ on social media. It’s about stepping up and being there for our law enforcement officers.
“I care about your mental health and I want to hear your concerns. In a day and age where you’re being looked at as the bad guy — that has got to change. I’m working alongside my peers in the legislature to make those changes happen for you. I want to know what you’re experiencing and how I can help.”
The featured speaker, a Kenton High School graduate who is serving his second term in the Ohio House of Representatives for Northwest Ohio’s 83rd District, which includes portions of Logan County, along with Hancock and Hardin counties, said his brother previously served his community as a sheriff’s deputy as well.
“I have so much appreciation for him and so much respect for him,” Rep. Cross said.
“For each of you here tonight, and the spouses and significant others of those who are serving on the department, I appreciate each of you. We’ll never be able to say ‘thank you’ enough for what you do every day.
“The kind of world that you help to create is the world I want my two young boys to grow up in.”
Rep. Cross said taking the time to pause and reflect on the last year’s accomplishments are important in this line of work.
“We can do all of these trainings and equip you with the latest high-tech gear, but we also have to look after our mental health. You all deserve a high five and a hug, and an event like this helps to bring us all together and lets your department and the community celebrate you.”
Sheriff Randy Dodds also addressed his staff during the awards program, thanking them for their tireless efforts over the many challenges of the past year and dealing with COVID-19’s impacts.
For the LCSO, 2020 included temporary furloughs for 12 weeks for nearly 20 employees, including patrol deputies and corrections staff, because of budgetary concerns; moving Logan County Juvenile Detention inmates to their own area of the Logan County Jail for a time; and staff members working 12-hour shifts to separate personnel into smaller numbers working the same shift in case COVID-19 exposure became an issue.
The sheriff made sure to highlight each of the different divisions and departments at his office to recognize those individuals in the background, too, who make the operation run smoothly — from dispatchers to the dog warden, corrections staff, court security, medical personnel, kitchen staff and front office staff.
Administrative assistant Trina Kopus said staff members contributed 9,000 overtime hours last year, and auxiliary deputies worked 1,000 overtime hours as well.
“While our nation was divided over many issues, our office became united and not divided,” she said. “Everyone here never stopped. Every year, I think I can’t be more proud to work here, but you all never cease to impress me.”
Honors awarded Thursday evening included Meritorious Service Awards, which were presented to Deputies Jacob Boyd and Nicholas Burtchin related to two separate incidents.
Lt. Ryan Furlong read a letter received by Sheriff Dodds from a female victim in an Oct. 20 stand-off, where her boyfriend armed with a firearm had held her hostage. Her boyfriend eventually took his own life after four hours of negotiations with authorities.
However, the female victim was able to escape to safety and she said Deputy Boyd is to be commended for the way he handled his job duties and was so helpful to her in this trying situation.
In a phone call to her after the suspect had died, the victim said, “Deputy Boyd was so nice, compassionate and empathetic.”
Deputy Burtchin was honored for his actions in a fatal house fire in DeGraff during November, where he observed an elderly resident of the home had collapsed on the floor. He quickly carried her out of the house and to an awaiting ambulance.
While the elderly woman was later pronounced dead at Mary Rutan Hospital, Deputy Burtchin’s “selfless actions provided her family with closure,” Lt. Furlong said.
Lifesaving Awards were presented to Sgt. John Godwin, Nurse Shelby Sherwood and Detective Brent Joseph for their actions to quickly identify a male motorist having a medical emergency in a vehicle, with Sherwood performing CPR on the scene. The man was transported to an area hospital and has recovered, officials said, with Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler and Bellefontaine Fire Department Chief Andy Fissel helping to present the award relating to this mutual aid call.
In addition, Lifesaving Awards were presented to Deputy Miriam Reames for her actions on a Quincy area scene assisting a woman who was unconscious; and Corrections Officers Bryan Woods and Chantell Guisinger in administering multiple doses of Narcan to an inmate who also was unconscious.
Behind the Badge volunteer Pamela Reames received the Volunteer of the Year Award for her many efforts to organize outreach event and special activities for the department.