Sylvania mayor touts local officers, citizens for service awards

Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough Enlarge

The City of Sylvania Police Division held its 2012 awards ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 25th in Sylvania City Council Chambers. Area police departments, citizens, Sylvania Police Explorers, citizen employees of the Police Division and police officers were recognized.

The ceremony was well attended by area police departments. Sylvania Township Chief Robert Boehme and Maumee Chief Robert Zink were in attendance as were Toledo Chief Derrick Diggs, Toledo Deputy Chief George Taylor, and Toledo Captain Brad Weis.

The Sylvania Township, Maumee and Toledo Police Departments were all honored for their SRT, SRU and SWAT assistance to the Sylvania Police Division during a 2011 violent barricaded gunman incident near downtown Sylvania. Toledo also brought their Bearcat armored vehicle and bomb squad robot to help resolve the incident.

Citizen Commendations were awarded to four individuals for heroic or volunteer activities. Jeff Tiedeken was honored for his actions helping to save a life. Marietta Laux and Christopher Roby were honored for their considerable volunteer contributions to the Sylvania Volunteers on Patrol program.

The Reverend Richard Ketterman was honored for his service as the Sylvania Police Division chaplain.

Two members of the Sylvania Police Explorer program were honored. The program is associated with the Boy Scouts of America and offers an opportunity for young men and women to explore a career in law enforcement. Steve Deutschman was honored as the 2010 Police Explorer of the Year and Chris Kiefer was honored as the 2011 Police Explorer of the Year.

Receiving Merit Commendations were Sylvania police officers Zachary Andrzejewski, Matthew Collins and Amy Martin, and Sylvania Police Sergeant Joshua Seney. Distinguished Service awards were given to civilian Telecommunicators Danielle Hayward and Gary Siegel.

Police Stars were awarded to Sylvania police officers Russell Hoff, William Haase, Amy Martin, David Arvay, Scott Hendricks, Detective Laura Bliss, Sergeant Danilynn Miller, Sergeant Joshua Seney, Captain Frederick Schnoor, and Chief William Rhodus.

The Sylvania Police Division holds an awards ceremony every two years. The City of Sylvania is proud of all those recognized and thank them for their service to the Sylvania community.