Law enforcement officers from across Logan County gathered Saturday morning at Brown Park for the 57th Annual Police Memorial Ceremony, honoring officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
A short parade featuring marked patrol vehicles, a color guard, and a rifle squad started on Main Street at Auburn Avenue.
The procession traveled north on Main Street in Bellefontaine before turning onto East Sandusky Avenue and ending at Brown Park.
Columbus Avenue was temporarily closed for a flag-raising ceremony.
Following the parade, the memorial ceremony honored the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving and protecting their communities.
The ceremony was hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police and featured remarks from Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge Jacob Estes, who served as the keynote speaker.
” On August 14th, 2024, Logan County Sheriff Deputies were contacted by a Lakeview resident advising their residence had been struck by gunfire. Sergeant Ryan Brown arrived first and eventually it was determined that the shot had originated from the rooftop of the next-door residence. That marked the beginning of a 10 hour and 46-minute standoff that included the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Bellefontaine, Washington Township, Russells Point, and Marysville Police Departments, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, amongst many other fire and medical first responders. Over a hundred rounds were directed at law enforcement with 5 homes, a car, and tactical equipment struck by gunfire. The standoff ended with a Rook breaching the residence under heavy gunfire. The shooter was shot by law enforcement and survived. Fortunately, no law enforcement officers were shot or injured.
On September 7, 2025, Deputies Paul Finfrock and Josh Core were dispatched to the Adventure Trails Campground regarding a drowning call. When the deputies arrived on the scene, they found two people struggling in the water. Without hesitation, both deputies entered the water and successfully brought the individuals to shore.
COURAGE is an attribute that our local law enforcement possesses. Courage is frequently described as NOT the absence of fear but rather the ability to act in spite of it. As law enforcement lined up with shields to try to breach the home of the shooter, I imagine they felt some fear. And as the bullets whizzed over their heads while retreating from the residence, I am confident fear was close by. And as they geared up to breach a window after their initial attempt was unsuccessful, I am sure fear had not left their side. But fear did not stop them from acting that day. Fear did not stop them from successfully ending the standoff. In the face of fear, Deputies Finfrock and Core still entered the water knowing of the risk to their own lives.
As a community, do we REALLY appreciate the courage of our local officers? Do we really understand what they do on OUR behalf on a regular basis for average wages? I think not. For me, I remain in a constant state of gratitude that I live in a place where I know that if my life or my family’s lives are on the line, and a call for help goes out, help is on the way, regardless of the potential consequences for those responding. On August 14, 2024, and September 7, 2025, our local law enforcement showcased for our community what true courage looks like. They demonstrated what they are willing to do even in the face of death. Every stop made and every response to a call requires courage as our officers never know what danger may be awaiting them. May we never forget how blessed we are to live in Logan County where so many courageous men and women in blue serve.
On April 14, 2026, Logan County dispatchers received a call regarding an elderly woman who was unable to figure out how to turn up her air conditioning in her new home. The woman had a heart condition that was aggravated by the heat and because maintenance could not reach the residence for over an hour, Deputy Michael Martz was dispatched. Not only did Deputy Martz figure out how to turn on her air conditioning, he also hung her shower curtains for her as she was physically unable to do so herself and had been unable to use her shower as a result. She was so grateful for not only his actions but also his kind spirit.
In April of 2026, School Resource Officer Drew Dickson personally solicited gift cards from local businesses and then handed them out to Riverside students who were observed wearing seat belts while driving on the school grounds. In January of this year, School Resource Officer JR Brenner worked with the Indian Lake school to address a troubled student. SRO Brenner intervened in a young person’s life with care, compassion, and understanding. He provided guidance and direction to a child in need. And outside the situation with this student, he has positively impacted everyone at the school through his caring and professional approach.
COMPASSION and EMPATHY are essential ingredients to a successful officer. It is clear our local officers understand this. Over the years I have worked with many talented and smart individuals. However, it is my belief that how one treats others will be their legacy far more than their accomplishments. Even if you are the best street cop ever, or if you are the smartest detective, or the greatest Sheriff or Chief, if you are a jerk, no one will care. Period. Your life and those around you will be so much better if you treat others as you would like to be treated. Over two thousand years ago, a man walked the streets of Galilee and amongst many other things, he gave us a rule that has stood the test of time. In the book of Matthew, chapter 7, verse 12, he provided the world with the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule states to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
I have tried to live my entire life by this rule. It is not always easy. Some people under certain circumstances make it difficult. However, I strive to achieve a legacy in the criminal justice and court system that is more about how I treat people than anything else. As law enforcement or a court officer, I think it behooves us to remember the words of George W. Bush when he said, “There is no higher calling than the service of your fellow man.” I believe this higher calling is best fulfilled when it is done with compassion and empathy. Sir Robert Peel, the father of modern policing, reminded us that “The police are the public and the public are the police.”
In April of 2026, Officer Robert Hamilton of the Bellefontaine Police Department was dispatched to the Madriver Shell regarding a customer whose ID was erroneously given to another customer. Officer Hamilton went over and beyond the call of duty by spending a considerable amount of time tracking down and recovering the customer’s ID. Although the situation did not rise to an enforceable crime, it took considerable time and effort on the officer’s part to recover the person’s property and his actions helped avoid any possible legal issues for all involved.
This year, Russell’s Point Police Officers worked together to create peace between a father suffering from dementia and a daughter unexpectedly thrust into the role of caretaker. Over the course of several weeks, officers had multiple encounters with the gentleman as his untreated disease caused confusion, confrontation, and risk to himself and others. He became argumentative with local businesses, frightened residents, and was often verbally aggressive toward his daughter. Through it all, officers understood the assignment and treated the gentleman as someone battling an illness, not as a problem to be solved through the criminal justice system. They worked alongside his daughter and local resources to ultimately secure the help he needed.
Peacekeeping is a vital part of successful law enforcement. This is the role of the modern peace officer. They serve as guardians, a peacemaker, and a trusted community partner called to be the calm in the storm. Oftentimes not making headlines or rounds on social media but law enforcement solving complex problems in the streets without arrest happens commonly in Logan County. It is important that our officers understand that not every call has to equal an arrest. Frequently, there may be no arrest to make and no investigation to complete; only the responsibility to help individuals regain stability, de-escalate conflict, and create a path away from harm. Officers maintain the peace by exercising discretion in their decision making, utilizing the rapport they have developed with their community members, and approaching problems with the spirit of peace. Maintaining order and ensuring safe communities can oftentimes best be accomplished by law enforcement without the need for criminal charges or arrest. We are reminded in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Winston Churchhill said, “We make a LIVING by what we get, but we make a LIFE by what we give.”
Unfortunately, sometimes, the ultimate sacrifice is required of our law enforcement officers. In book of John, chapter 15, verse 13, Jesus tells us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, on average—one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 57 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, more than 19,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. According to the organization Ohio Concerns of Police Survivors, Ohio ranks 5th in the nation for the number of police officers killed in the line of duty.
On May 2nd, 2025, Special Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson Jr. of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was intentionally struck and killed by a driver while directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati for their commencement ceremonies. Deputy Henderson was a United States Marine (Corps) Core veteran and had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for 33 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.
On May 26, 2025, Deputy Sheriff Daniel Weston Sherrer (Sheerer) of the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office was shot and killed while responding to a report of a shooting and domestic dispute. When Deputy Sherrer arrived at the residence, he found the subject seated on the porch. As he approached the subject and attempted to de-escalate the situation, the subject threatened the Deputy with a gun and eventually fired upon him. Deputy Sherrer was struck while returning gunfire and passed away due to his injuries. Deputy Sherrer was 31 years old and served with the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office for four years. He is survived by his parents, sister, and fiancée.
On July 24, 2025, Police Officer Phillip C. Wagner of the Lorain Police Department was ambushed when he and another officer were in their patrol vehicle eating lunch. A man opened fire on their patrol car and when they called for help, another officer was also ambushed. Two officers were Life Flighted and one officer was treated for a gunshot wound to his hand. Officer Wagner succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds the next day. The shooter was killed in an exchange of gunfire with responding officers. Officer Wagner was a United States Marine Corps (Core) veteran and had served with the Lorain Police Department for three years and the Sheffield Village Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife and three children.
On October 16, 2025, Trooper Nicky Cayton was struck and killed by the driver of a Mack truck on the northbound lane of Route 11 in Canfield. Trooper Cayton responded to a disabled tractor-trailer and was in his patrol cruiser with lights activated when the truck hit him. His vehicle was pushed into the tractor-trailer. Trooper Cayton was killed at the scene. Trooper Cayton was an Ohio Army National Guard veteran and had served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for 13 years. In 2022, he was named Ohio Trooper of the Year. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, and father.
Let us not forget these four heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for us in 2025.
I want to leave you with a portion of a famous speech by Theodore Roosevelt in Paris, France, on April 23rd, 1910. It is called, THE MAN IN THE ARENA: I hope this serves as an encouragement for our local law enforcement as they bravely serve our community.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”God bless the United States of America. God bless the State of Ohio. And God bless Logan County.”
Several agencies attended the memorial observance, including the Bellefontaine Police Department, Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Russells Point Police Department, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
