Local law enforcement pride was on full display as the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office honored its outstanding deputies and staff during an award ceremony on Thursday. The office took to social media to announce the event, where hard-working individuals were acknowledged for their service to the community. As noted in a Facebook post on Thursday, the celebration recognized achievements across various divisions, including communications, corrections, court services, investigations, patrol, school resource, command staff, as well as administrative and reserve services.
Dispatcher James VanGundy was named Communications Division Officer Of The Year, while Officer Rose Timmons took home the title for Corrections Officer Of The Year; Court Services Employee Of The Year was awarded to Audrea Welch, and the investigative accolade went to Detective Trena Kohler. With Deputy Michael Oberley and Captain Phil Relli among those celebrated for their diligent efforts in making Pickaway County a safer environment, the ceremony served as a testament to the ongoing commitment of the sheriff's staff. The event highlighted the daily contributions of numerous deputies, who often labor behind the scenes. The Sheriff’s Star Award was jointly bestowed upon Detective Gary Bailey and Deputy Michael Oberley, who also secured the Patrol Division Deputy Of The Year title.
Highlighting the importance of support roles within the law enforcement framework, Melissa Tootle was acknowledged as the Administrative Staff Member Of The Year. Deputy John Schleich's notable contributions earned him the Reserve Deputy Of The Year accolade. School safety, a critical issue in today's society, saw Deputy Dave McIntyre recognized as School Resource Officer Of The Year. In showing appreciation for the recognized staff, the Sheriff's Office encouraged community members to extend personal thanks to the award winners, further solidifying the sense of partnership between the sheriff's office and the community it serves.
The sheriff's office emphasized the considerable efforts of all deputies as crucial to upholding local safety, as exemplified by the breadth of honorees representative of the diverse functions and roles that undergird the operations of modern law enforcement. Such ceremonies not only serve as visible recognition for law enforcement professionals but also reinforce the value of community engagement, as the sheriff's office noted, "If you see these great men and women out and about in the near future please stop and thank them for all their hard work they put in to make Pickaway County a safer place to live."
