The photos below are from the police department recognition banquet that was held last week. Officers, civilian employees, Trustees and the employee's families attended to support their loved ones. A great time was had by all. Letters of Commendations for proactive policing efforts were given to the three officers, listed below. They were recognized last week at our police appreciation banquet.
While assigned to patrol operations, these officers consistently engaged in proactive policing efforts in 2022, conducting numerous interdiction stops resulting in the seizure of illegal controlled substances, recovered stolen vehicles, weapons and felony arrests.
These Officers earned a commendation because they are always going above and beyond each shift they work. Officer Cody Meade
Traffic stops 328.
Misdemeanor Arrest 85
Felony Arrest 82
Traffic Citations 65
Officer Austin Branham
Traffic stops 311.
Misdemeanor Arrest 85
Felony Arrest 31
Traffic Citations 104
Officer Michael Roberts
Traffic stops 251
Misdemeanor Arrest 52
Felony Arrest 40
Traffic Citations 117
Thank you, officers, for making Springfield Township a safer place to live and travel through.
Letters of Commendations for proactive policing efforts were given to the three officers, listed below. They were recognized last week at our police appreciation banquet.
Police Department Service Awards were given to the following employees at the police appreciation banquet last week.
Captain Denise Moore 28 years of service
Captain Moore manages the day-to-day operations at the police department. She has also obtained over $118,000.00 in grant funding for the police department in 2022. The money will be used for cruiser computers, Body Worn Camera Software/equipment and new portable radios.
Sgt.
Eric East 28 years of service
Sgt. East is a day shift Sergeant and functions as the police department Public Information Officer.
Sgt. Joe Gaffney 25 years of service
Sgt. Gaffney also functions as a day shift Sergeant on the opposite days of Sgt. East. Sgt. Gaffney manages the departments firearms and helps with firearm qualifications. He is very active in the police department’s community programs.
Officer Billie Laurenti 25 years of service
Officer Laurenti works the night shift. She has been very active conducting business checks during her shift. She is very involved in the department’s Fraternal Order of Police Organization.
Officer Dan Wagner 28 years of service
Officer Dan Wagner spent numerous years representing the Springfield Police Department at the Summit County Drug Unit. He has done a great job mentoring new officers during the new officer orientation program,
Denise Bolen 25 years of service
Denise Bolen manages the police department budget, handles payroll and numerous other administrative responsibilities. Denise is responsible for ensuring that all of the invoices are paid in a timely manner. She also coordinates all of the requirements for new police candidates.
Debra Grow 24 years of service
Debra Grow manages the police department’s records. She is responsible for all of the public records requests and confirms the requests are fulfilled in a timely manner. Debra reviews all of the police department reports, arrests and citations before they are disseminated to the public, defense attorneys or Prosecutor’s Office.
Kate Thurston was given a community partnership award at our police awards banquet last week. Kate continues to volunteer her time to help the police department organize events throughout the year. Some of the events she organizes are Safety Town, Shop with a Cop and the Easter Egg Hunt each year along with her fundraising efforts for our K-9 program. Kate has donated her personal time, and money, to support the Springfield Township Police Department.
Officer Ty Klapp commendation award:
SUMMARY
OF INCIDENT: On March 27, 2023, at 1:00am, Officer Klapp while patrolling in
the area of Killian Road, observed a male walking westbound. Officer Klapp
observed an object that appeared to be a firearm in his right hand.
Subsequently, he temporarily detained the individual. A firearm was found
inside his waistband. The male appeared to be under the influence, stating he
recently had an altercation with his mother. Officer Klapp located a baggie
containing methamphetamine, a black sock with several 9 mm rounds and a gas
mask.
Officer
Klapp learned that the male was suicidal and was planning to barricade himself
in a room at a hotel on S. Arlington Rd. and then force the police to shoot
him. The individual was arrested and charged with Weapons Under Disability
(F3), Possession of Drugs (F5), Criminal Tools (M1), and Drug Paraphernalia
(M4) then transported to the Summit County Jail.
The
individual was released from jail and arrived at the police department on March
30, 2023, to retrieve his property. He notified office staff that “if it wasn’t
for Officer Klapp, he might not be around today, he was planning suicide by
cop”. He said, “everything happens for a reason, and he believes Ty was put
there to prevent him from carrying out his plan.”
Officer
Klapp was recognized at our awards banquet last week for his dedication to
public service that prevented a citizen from ending his life while suffering
from a mental health crisis and taking drugs and a gun off the street.
