First responders recognized during Medina County Safe Communities annual awards ceremony

BRUNSWICK HILLS TWP. — More than 30 first responders who work in departments throughout the county were recognized for their work at the Medina County Safe Communities Awards and breakfast on Tuesday. The awards ceremony took place at the Southwest Baptist Church in Brunswick Hills Township. Medina Municipal Judge Gary Werner was the keynote speaker, and he spoke about his experience with the law as a judge as well as the work that law enforcement does on a daily basis. First responders were nominated by someone in their department to win an award. At the ceremony, the crowd was told why each individual was selected. The reasons ranged from their good actions in a specific incident to working hard every day to enforce the law. "We do have support from our community, and that support was given to us because of how we interact with them," Medina County Sheriff Terry Grice said. "It's not given to us just blindly. It's given because we earned it, and that's something that we can't forget." The following Medina County first responders were given an award this year: Patrolman Zachary Getto from the Brunswick Hills Police Department for OVI enforcement. Sgt. Przemyslaw Piekut from the Brunswick Hills Police Department for traffic enforcement. Communication Specialist Rebecca Dembowski from the Brunswick Division of Police for dispatch. Brunswick Police Chief Brian Ohlin for 30 years of outstanding traffic enforcement. Officer Brian Mummert from the Brunswick Division of Police for outstanding community engagement. Firefighter Nick DiSalvo from the Brunswick Hills Fire Department for firefighting or EMS. Firefighter Jim Marrelli from the Brunswick Hills Fire Department for firefighting or EMS. Firefighter Cody Windland from the Brunswick Hills Fire Department for firefighting or EMS. Brunswick Assistant Fire Chief Russ Merhaut for firefighting or EMS. Lt. Keith Decube from the Brunswick Division of Fire for firefighting or EMS. Firefighter Pat Malloy from the Brunswick Division of Fire for firefighting or EMS. Lodi Assistant Chief Justin Filous for firefighting or EMS Capt. Wesley Henry from the Lodi Fire Department for firefighting or EMS. Firefighter Blaine Schooley from the Lodi Fire Department for firefighting or EMS. Firefighter Lorenzo Valley from the Lodi Fire Department for firefighting or EMS. EMT Diana Kemp from the Lodi Fire Department for firefighting or EMS. Casey Brown from the Medina County Health Department for being an outstanding coalition member. Arlene Laurence from the Medina County Health Department for being an outstanding coalition member. Susan Pappas from the Medina County Health Department for being an outstanding coalition member. Rebecca Parkhurst from the Medina County Health Department for being an outstanding coalition member. Dispatcher Patrick Villeneuve from the Medina Police Department for dispatch. Dispatcher Tricia Glauner from the Medina Police Department for dispatch. Officer Tyler Hughes from the Medina Police Department for OVI enforcement. Officer Matthew O'Donnell from the Medina Township Police Department for OVI enforcement. Officer Shawna Yorks from the Medina Township Police Department for click it or ticket enforcement. Patrol Officer Justin Harvey from the Montville Police Department for OVI enforcement. Patrol Officer Joel Eckstine from the Montville Police Department for outstanding traffic enforcement. Deputy Joseph Piroli from the Medina County Sheriff's Office for OVI enforcement. Deputy David McGurk from the Medina County Sheriff's Office for OVI enforcement. Communication Technician Scott Simonton from the Medina County Sheriff's Office for dispatch. Sgt. Chad Schell from the State Highway Patrol for outstanding community engagement. Trooper Eric Eaton from the State Highway Patrol for click it or ticket enforcement. Patrol Officer Chris Hardy from the Wadsworth Police Department for traffic enforcement. Patrol Officer Luke Yehnert from the Wadsworth Police Department for OVI enforcement. "I'm really proud to be a part of this community, particularly this community of law enforcement officers and other associated agents," Werner said. "With my gratitude and with the prospect that we will likely encounter each other at some point going forward, thank you again, all of you, for your service." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.