IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Law enforcement officers honored
By Nick Schneider, STAFF
WRITER
The
As part of
its annual Honors Night program, law enforcement agency members were recognized
at a dinner program at
Highlighting
the event was the presentation of special awards to Linton Police Department's Det. Sgt. Duane Collenbaugh as the Officer of the Year; LPD
Police Chief Keith McDonald was honored for 20 years of service to the city of
Linton; and Greene County Prosecutor David Powell took home an award of
appreciation presented to him by members of the county's law enforcement agencies
for his two decades of public service. Powell, who has served five terms as the
county prosecutor is retiring from that elected office at the end of his term
on Dec. 31, 2006.
Moderating
the law enforcement part of the honor program was Benny McNeely, president and
CEO of Bloomfield State Bank. McNeely said too often people don't say thank you
often enough to public servants -- like law enforcement officers.
"Whenever
you have a situation where you need one of those good folks who are sitting out
here today, and for right now, let's just say thank you for all that you guys
and ladies do for us because it just helps to make life so much better here in
the county," he said. "To all of you, thank
you very much from all of us and we really do appreciate you."
McNeely
explained that when inviting the law enforcement representatives to the annual
dinner, the different agencies were asked if they wanted to make any special
awards. McDonald said he decided to use this forum to make his department's
Officer of the Year presentation.
McDonald had
kind words for all the officers who serve with him.
"I
can't tell you how proud I am of this police department and all that it has
accomplished in the last few years. They have worked very, very hard. They work
me to death just trying to keep up with the administrative side of it. These
guys worked 800 hours of 'comp' time last year and volunteered to do it,"
McDonald said.
McDonald
said when he considered a selection for 2005 Officer of the Year, it was very
difficult, but Collenbaugh is very deserving.
"He's
my right hand man. Basically, folks this guy never gets off second shift. He
runs second shift for me. He takes calls, he's a supervisor, he
handles all of my hot issues and problems. With any serious incidents -- rapes,
homicides and all of the things we hate to think about, this man is in charge
of the crime scene technician work. Thanks to (county prosecutor) David Powell
and other people who have helped us with funding for equipment and funding
through the state police in training, it's a great honor that you are officer
of the year this year Duane," McDonald said.
A year ago, officer Josh Goodman received the 2004 Officer of the Year
award.
McDonald
also made a special presentation to Powell on behalf of members of the county's
law enforcement agencies.
"It was
the general consensus of all of the law enforcement people that we've been
overlooking somebody the last 20 years and so, we thought it was only fitting
tonight to honor a man for all his help and his hard work," McDonald said.
The plaque
presented to Powell read, "Leadership, Dedication and Motivation." It
says, "A leader always demanding the highest standards of excellence in
law enforcement. Thank you, your staff, citizens, police and students of Greene
County 2005."
McDonald
added, "I don't know what greater honor any man in law enforcement could
ever have than to be totally respected by every single law enforcement person
in the county. That is certainly true of this man. David Powell this is for
you."
In accepting
the award, Powell said, "I do appreciate that coming from the guys and
ladies that do a hard job every day. I am very proud of you. I am very proud of
the 20 years that I've had to work with you. They've all heard me say that our
success in the courtroom is only as good as the work that they bring us. I am
pretty demanding. Anyone who works with me knows that. But we do an important
thing."
Linton
Police Department Det. Troy Jerrell teamed up with
former Greene County Sheriff and current county clerk Tom Franklin, to present
McDonald with a special plaque in recognition of his 20 years in law
enforcement for the city of Linton.
In making
the presentation to McDonald,
"Each
and everyone of our people work extremely hard and
have a tremendous amount of commitment to the citizens of
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