Sun staff
More than a dozen law enforcement officials from departments throughout Clermont County were recognized May 15 during the Clermont Chamber of Commerce’s 31st annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Banquet at Holiday Inn in Eastgate.
Excellent Service Award Recipients included 20 officials from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Clermont County Sheriff’s Office as well as Union Township, Loveland, Milford, and New Richmond police departments as well as a citizen.
Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil was the keynote speaker for the evening’s ceremony. He talked about the sacrifices police officers make while performing their duties, and their dedication to their jobs.
“Thank you for serving, and thank you for the excellent work you perform,” Neil said.
Police were selected to receive Excellent Service Awards based on their investigative work and involvement in cases that ranged from armed robberies to marijuana busts.
Officer Robert “Craig” Heintzelman, from New Richmond Police Department, received an Excellent Service Award his dedication and hard work, including helping the department by finding an affordable police cruiser and installing the equipment himself and raising funds to purchase a drug dog for the village.
“It’s an honor do receive this and be recognized,” Heintzelman said. “I just want to give back to the community.”
Fred Dickhaus Jr., a citizen who helped stop a suspect who attacked a woman in a Kroger parking lot, was presented with the Citizen’s Award for his actions during the event.
“Listening to everyone, I think it’s great that they do this every day,” Dickhaus said. “The most important thing is folks need to get involved.”
And for Deputy Meredith Walsh, with the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, outstanding service runs in the family, as she and her father both received similar awards in different counties.
Walsh received a Excellent Service Award for her part in a case that included four other officers from the sheriff’s office and Union Township.
“It means a lot to be recognized for something,” Walsh said.
Her father, Pat Olvey, who worked for Cincinnati Police Department, and received an award in Hamilton County in 1981, said he is proud of his daughter.
“I think we’re the first father-daughter combo,” Olvey said. “I am very proud of her.”
Retired officers David Doyle, Bill Vaught and Tim Zurmehly, with the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office; Chief Ray Hesler with Felicity Police Department; Chief Steve Bailey, with Miami Township Police Department; and Captain Cliff Rowland, with Miami Township Police Department were honored for their years of services.
The late Corporal Glenn Evans, with Miami Township Police Department, was recognized during the ceremony.
Clermont County Chamber of Commerce hosted the Law Enforcement Appreciation Banquet. For more information, visit www.clermontchamber.com.
Excellent Service Award recipients:
Award one:
Sergeant B.J. Boerger, Clermont County Sheriff’s Office
Detective Todd Taylor, Union Township Police Department
Officer Mark Stephens, Union Township Police Department
Officer Chris Wilson, Union Township Police Department
Deputy Meredith Walsh, Clermont County Sheriff’s Office
Award two:
Sergeant Anthony Rees,Union Township Police Department
Detective John Pavia, Union Township Police Department
Award three:
Agent Ken Mullis, Clermont County Sheriff’s Office
Award four:
Fred Dickhaus Jr., Citizen’s Award
Award five:
Mike Green, Milford Police Department
Gary Green, Milford Police Department
Award six:
Trooper Drew Untied, Ohio State Highway Patrol
Award seven:
Sergeant Jeff Brown, Union Township Police Department
Officer Brian Milne, Union Township Police Department
Award eight:
Officer Tony Metzger, Union Township Police Department
Officer Rick Williams, Union Township Police Department
Award nine:
Lieutenant Doug Ventre, Clermont County Sheriff’s Office
Award 10:
Officer Robert “Craig” Heintzelman, New Richmond Police Department
Award 11:
Detective Steve Moster, Loveland Police Department
Award 12:
Agent Dominic DeRose, Clermont County Sheriff’s Office