On the Job 

Each year, the Ohio Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Conference features an awards luncheon in which officers past and present, and community members who support law enforcement, are recognized for their achievements during the past year. The 2017 honorees, who were recognized on Oct. 12:

Distinguished Law Enforcement Lifetime Achievement Award

Retired Youngstown Police Officer Richard T. Baldwin

Retired officer Richard T. Baldwin has dedicated his life to the safety of his community and to serving others.

For 30 years, he worked for the Youngstown Police Department, where he was known as a motivated leader and role model to others in law enforcement.

As a member of the U.S. military for 41 years, he served his nation and was deployed to active war zones. Throughout his life, Baldwin has been a tireless volunteer for military causes, charities, and people with disabilities.
 

Distinguished Law Enforcement Lifetime Achievement Award

Retired Clermont County Sheriff Albert J. ‘Tim’ Rodenberg Jr.

 As the sheriff, Tim Rodenberg provided distinguished law enforcement service to the people of Clermont County from 1997 to 2017.

During his tenure, he fostered an atmosphere of inclusion and collaboration in the sheriff’s office.

In the community, he volunteered for events that benefited children, the elderly, the military, and people with disabilities. Before becoming sheriff, Rodenberg served in the Marine Corps, spent time as a practicing attorney, and worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney.
 

Distinguished Civilian Leadership Award

Bruce and Nancy Haverkamp, The Matt Haverkamp Foundation

In remembrance of their son Officer Matt Haverkamp, who died in a car accident, Bruce and Nancy Haverkamp established a nonprofit foundation in 2005 to start and support K-9 units for law enforcement agencies in the Cincinnati area. Since its inception, the foundation has raised about $300,000, purchased 40 dogs, and paid for related training and equipment.

Each year, the Haverkamps host a 5K run and organize a golf outing to raise money for the foundation. The couple also maintains a website to collect donations. 
 

Distinguished Law Enforcement Community Service Award

Deputy Erica Russell, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Deputy Erica Russell, who has been with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for almost nine years, joined its Community Relations Bureau in 2014. In that role, she has become recognized as a friend of the citizens of Prairie Township and built a strong relationship with residents, trustees, businesses, organizations, and other first responders.

Russell was instrumental is setting up a Safety Town program and bike safety classes. She has taught active-shooter and women’s self-defense classes and helped launch an educational program about opiates. To keep residents informed, she updates the community’s Nextdoor social network.

Russell also helps with a monthly produce giveaway for low-income families.
 

Distinguished Law Enforcement Training Award

Ordinance Team, The Ohio State University Police Division

The training provided by The Ohio State University Police Division’s Ordinance Team — made up of Lt. Brandon Yankanin, Det. Jason Becker, and officers Jeremy Allen, Dustin Mowery, and Adam Tabor — prepared Officer Alan Horujko to react quickly to stop a terrorist attack on campus in 2016.

“We are extremely fortunate to have these officers, who refuse to settle for what is minimally required,” Horujko said.

The Ordinance Team conducts training sessions throughout the year on subjects such as firearms proficiency, tactics, building-search techniques, combat first-aid application, and active shooter response. The team is constantly updating the curriculum, and the instructors work diligently to secure funding and support for the trainings.
 

Mark Losey Distinguished Law Enforcement Service Award

Det. Gerard ‘Jerry’ Antenucci, Barberton Police Department
 

During his 25 years in law enforcement, Det. Jerry Antenucci has followed a simple code: Go after the bad guys who hurt good people. His full file of commendations indicates that he has had a lot of success following that mantra throughout his career.

Antenucci has received recognition for his actions on many cases, including one where a traffic stop turned into a drug arrest and another where a warrant sweep ended in 19 arrests and the confiscation of weapons.

While serving on the U.S. Marshal Services Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task force, Antenucci gained the respect and admiration of other law enforcement personnel for his willingness to work hard and do the job right.
 

Distinguished Law Enforcement Group Achievement Award

Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC)/Central Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force

 The officers of the Central Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, a federal effort under the direction of the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, are dedicated to the mission of stopping the flow of illegal drugs, identifying drug sources, and shutting down those criminal operations.

A snapshot of activity from June 1, 2016, to May 1, 2017, shows the task force seized, among other drugs, 214 pounds of cocaine worth $7.3 million, 59 pounds of heroin worth $3.2 million, 29 pounds of methamphetamine worth $1.3 million, and 750 grams of fentanyl powder worth more than $130,000, along with fentanyl capsules made to resemble a prescription medication. The group also seized almost $3 million in cash.
 

Distinguished Law Enforcement Group Achievement Award

Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force

 The Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force, an Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission Task Force, which operates in the vicinity of the I-75 and I-70 corridors, combats national and international drug traffickers and those who smuggle U.S. currency.

The task force uses investigations, surveillance, and informants to target criminals. It focuses on hotels, motels, airports, bus stations, and highway traffic in the Montgomery County area when trying to identify couriers of drugs and money. Since the task force’s formation in 2013, it has planned and executed more than 600 operations resulting in the indictments of 128 suspects.
 

Distinguished Law Enforcement Valor Award

Capt. Jack L. Tremain,  Ross Township Police Department

 Capt. Jack Tremain was serving as the acting chief of the Ross Township Police Department on Aug. 3, 2016, when three suspects in a double homicide tried unsuccessfully to escape through his jurisdiction.

Tremain responded to a call that officers from the Hamilton Police Department were in pursuit of a truck carrying three suspects, possibly armed with an AK-47, in the township. Tremain set up a roadblock, forcing the suspects off the road. One of the suspects jumped out of the truck and ran up a wooded hillside. Tremain pursued on foot. The suspect tried to hide, but Tremain found him, handcuffed him, and then, found the man’s discarded weapon and ammunition.

The Hamilton Police Department thanked Capt. Tremain for his assistance in the arrest.
 

Distinguished Law Enforcement Valor Award

Officer Alan Horujko, The Ohio State University Police Division

 On Nov. 28, 2016, Officer Alan Horujko called on his training to quickly respond to, and end, a terrorist attack on a group of university students and faculty.

On that morning, a crowd had gathered in a courtyard after a natural-gas leak at a lab on main campus forced an evacuation. An 18-year-old student, who was inspired to commit terrorism by ISIS propaganda, purposely drove his car over a curb and into the group. He jumped out and began slashing at bystanders with a knife.

Horujko was responding to the gas leak when he became aware of the situation nearby. Feeling that he had no time to wait on backup, he ordered the attacker to drop the knife. The man refused and ran at the officer, who fired his gun, killing the attacker. The encounter between the two lasted less than a minute.

Thirteen people were hurt in the attack, but the situation could have been worse if not for the quick response by Officer Horujko.