Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office seventh annual awards banquet held
On Thursday, March 26, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office annual recognition night took place at the Camp Perry Clubhouse. This was the seventh annual banquet for personnel of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. Contributions are received from private citizens and businesses throughout northwestern Ohio to recognize the deputies and their service to the citizens and visitors of Ottawa County.The keynote speaker was Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray. Master of Ceremonies for the evening was the Honorable Judge Kathleen Giesler. The following deputies were recognized:Deputy Luis Gonzalez is a member of the Lucas County Sheriff's Office. He resides in Ottawa County. He serves as the translator for the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. He has done a superb job and has been called on day and night to assist the road deputies and the communications technicians when translation is needed. He was recognized by the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office in the presence of Lucas County Sheriff James Telb, Ph.D.Deputy Jody Royster and Sergeant Rob Hickman on Jan. 13, entered an upstairs apartment in Port Clinton. There was an active fire, and it was reported that a child was still in the apartment. At the time the two entered the structure, they had been informed that the child had not been located. They searched through heavy smoke and flames but were unable to find the child. They then left the apartment, and while outside they learned that the child was with a friend outside of the residence. Sergeant Hickman was unavailable to attend the presentation, but Deputy Jody Royster accepted the recognition for his actions on that night.Lisa Sarty and Ottawa County Auditory Jodi Regal stepped up to assist the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office with the 2008 Fiscal Year's end reports. They worked for several months preparing documents to close out the books and then established the protocol for 2009. Ottawa County Prosecutor Mark Mulligan was recognized for allowing Sarty, one of his staff members, to assist the administration. Their invaluable efforts were appreciated.Agents Carl Rider, Donnie St. Clair, and Detective Doug St. Clair. Through a partnership between the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office and the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, these three individuals were recognized for their service to the Ottawa County Drug Task Force. They have done an outstanding job in the years they have served. They have taken on both small and major narcotic investigations. Their professionalism and dedication to their job were recognized on behalf of the citizens and visitors to Ottawa County.Captain Stephen Levorchick. On Nov. 7, 2008, Captain Levorchick was in the right place at the right time. A patron at a Fremont restaurant choked while eating his meal. Captain Levorchick immediately recognized the problem and performed the Heimlich maneuver. Through his actions he likely saved the life of Garth Flittner. The lifesaving award was presented to Captain Levorchick, and there was a special presentation by Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer.Deputy Gary Karr and Detective Kevin Meek. On Sept. 19, 2008, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call advising of an aggravated burglary in progress in the Graytown area. Individuals were attempting to break into an occupied residence. The call was put out, and the deputies responded and within minutes had all three subjects under arrest who were charged with attempted aggravated burglary, and all had prior criminal histories in other counties. This case is now within the criminal justice system. These two deputies were recognized for their immediate response to the homeowner's 911 call.Deputy Gary Karr was further recognized for his years of service to the citizens and visitors of Ottawa County. He is retiring, and his last official day was March 29. He was recognized with his retirement badge, his personalized license plate from his cruiser, his SWAT training book, and also a box of cigars. We wish Deputy Karr well in his retirement.There were raffles of donated items for the employees, following which the vote was taken for the “Deputy of the Year.” The votes were cast, and Deputy Dean Hammer was honored. He oversees the Inmate Work Program. The vote was by his fellow employees. He will be recognized in May at the Kiwanis luncheon for this distinction.As stated earlier, this was the seventh annual awards banquet. All funding was from private donations and corporate sponsors. It is a time when our personnel are recognized for the outstanding work that is being done by the professional staff of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office.
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