The Bellefontaine Police Department held its annual awards ceremony Monday night to recognize outstanding service and performance from officers and staff.
The Bellefontaine Police Officer of the Year award was given to Officer Bryce Goodrich, and the Bellefontaine Police Dispatcher of the Year was awarded to Dispatcher Olivia Brinkman.
Years of Service Recognition was awarded to:
- Detective Dwight Salyer for 30 years of service
- Lieutenant Scott Marlow for 25 years of service
- Dispatcher Amanda Metz for 10 years of service
Letters of Commendation were presented to:
- Dispatcher Peter Hager for his performance during a critical incident involving a sexual assault suspect who fled police, armed with a weapon, and ultimately committed suicide.
Awards for a November 2nd head-on crash on U.S. 33, which involved a wrong-way driver, a vehicle on fire, multiple entrapments, and life-threatening injuries, were presented as follows:
- Officer Bryce Goodrich received the Life-Saving Award
- Officer Andrew Purk and Officer Morgan Bango were honored with the Medal of Merit
- Dispatcher Amanda Metz received a Letter of Commendation.
Military Service Recognition was awarded to new officers:
- Officer Anthony Carothers (U.S. Marine Corps)
- Officer John Godwin (U.S. Navy)
Life-Saving Awards were presented to:
- Officer Aaron Long for his performance in saving a young man from attempting suicide by jumping from the West Sandusky Bridge on August 23rd.
Medals of Merit were awarded to officers for their work during the violent standoff with Holley Tolliver at Indian Lake:
- Sergeant Seth Chambers
- Sergeant Andrew Kennedy
- Sergeant Bradley Staley
- K9 Officer Jerrod Hostetler
- Detective Jacob Siekierka
- Officer Aaron Long
- Officer Blake Kenner II
- Officer Bryce Goodrich
- Officer Robbie Hamilton
- Officer John Godwin
- Deputy Detective Adam Wood (Logan County Sheriff’s Office)
- Deputy Nicholas Burtchin (Logan County Sheriff’s Office)
American Legion Harold Kerr Post #173 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards were presented by Russell Strayer and Ray Stamm to:
- Officer Devin Fowler
- K9 Officer Jerrod Hostetler
- Officer Mason Treen
“A special thank you goes out to 600 Downtown for being our gracious hosts and providing an excellent dinner as well as our friends and sponsors at the Middlefield Banking Company,” Chief Chris Marlow said, “Another thank you is due to our family, friends, and the citizens we serve for your ongoing support, every day.”
