Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis handed out awards to several employees for their work over the past year. The following is the press release from the sheriff's office.
2008 ANNUAL AWARDS
HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Hamilton County, Ohio, February 19, 2009 -- Sheriff Simon L. Leis, Jr., Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, presented the Sheriff’s Office Annual Awards to the following personnel on February 19, 2009:
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF THE YEAR
Corporal Timothy L. Moss, age 44, assigned to the Fugitive Warrant Section, Court Services Division, is a 19 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and resident of Delhi Township.
Court Services Officer Robert J. Singleton, age 54, also assigned to the Fugitive Warrant Section, Court Services Division is a 16 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and resident of Union Township, Clermont County.
Cpl. Moss and CSO Singleton are each assigned over 1,000 felony warrants per year to investigate and attempt service. Both are extremely dedicated their assignments and work diligently to serve their assigned warrants. Additionally, while carrying out their assigned duties, they monitor radio channels and often assist other police officers on their details.
A prime example of this occurred on December 26, 2008, when Cpl. Moss and CSO Singleton captured a bank robbery suspect in the City of Cincinnati. At about 3:15 p.m. that day, a robbery in progress radio broadcast was issued from the U.S. Bank, Fourth and Elm Streets, downtown Cincinnati. The Deputies responded initiated a search of the general vicinity of the bank and subsequently spotted a subject near Paul Brown Stadium matching the description of the bank robber. The Deputies detained the subject and determined that he was in fact the suspect wanted for the bank robbery. The suspect was identified by bank employees and a large sum of money was recovered. This incident is indicative of the attitude Cpl. Moss and CSO Singleton display on a daily basis. Their outstanding work ethic, attitude, and team approach earned them recognition as the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Officers of the Year 2008.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR
Lieutenant Mark A. Schoonover, age 48, District 1 Patrol Commander, Patrol Division, is a 27 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and a resident of Springfield Township.
Lieut. Schoonover’s daily responsibilities involve the administration of Patrol District 1 which covers Colerain, Harrison, Crosby, Miami, and Whitewater Townships, as well as the Village of North Bend. In his role as District 1 Commander he has worked diligently with the administrative staff of Colerain Township on several high profile operations. He was instrumental in the planning and scheduling of several directed patrol incentives in Colerain Township. His participation in operations in Skyline Acres and Hidden Meadows has led to quality of life issues and reduction in ongoing criminal activity. He is currently assigned as the Colerain Township Liaison Officer and is very active in the Skyline Acres Community Action Committee.
Since accepting his role as District 1 Commander Lieut. Schoonover has worked earnestly to address the administration’s needs of managing the day to day operations of the district within the current budget constraints. He can be counted on to take the extra initiative to get a job done, he is a highly motivated individual who is constantly evaluating operations and frequently makes suggestions to improve operations.
Lieut. Schoonover is an asset to his Division; he is respected by his peers, and is recognized as a “go to” guy in the Sheriff’s Patrol Staff.
CORRECTIONS OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Corrections Officer James H. Whitacre, age26, Corrections Division, is an eight year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and a resident of Delhi Township.
CO Whitacre is a seasoned veteran of the Corrections Division and has demonstrated the ability to perform his duties in a professional and enthusiastic manner. His work ethic, Corrections knowledge, and attitude exemplify the qualities expected of a professional Corrections Officer in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
CORRECTIONS SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR
Lieutenant Daniel E. Ems, age 44, Corrections Division, is a 13 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and a resident of Springfield Township.
Lieut. Ems has consistently demonstrated the ability to lead by example and perform his duties as a Corrections Supervisor in a professional and enthusiastic manner. His knowledge of Corrections laws, procedures, and policies is exemplary. His daily drive and performance as a Corrections Supervisor has earned him the respect of his peers. He truly exemplifies the qualities expected of a Corrections Supervisor.
CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Court Data Entry Operator 2 Margarita “Margo” Mergy, age 38, assigned to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Program, Records Division, is a 10 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and a resident of Pierce Township, Clermont County, Ohio.
With the implementation January 1, 2008, of the Adam Walsh Act (S.B. 10) sex offender registrations have increased by approximately 44%. In 2007, 6350 registered sex offenders did an update to their record; in 2008 the number increased to 9017 sex offender updates. In 2007, 415 Sexual Predators registered; in 2008, the number increased to 877 Sexual Offenders (Tier 3). Sexual Predators/Tier 3 offenders must register every 90 days for life, this number has increased a staggering 210%
Ms. Mergy completes about 85% of all the updates to the Sheriff’s Sex Offender website. When a new offender registers, she orders a copy of the case, including sentencing information, bill of particulars, and checking the national record of the offender to obtain a complete criminal history. She also completes the pre-registration form and enters it into the E-SORN database prior to an individual, after being convicted of a sex offense, entering the Department of Corrections.
Additionally, Ms. Mergy completes monthly and end-of-year statistics for the Sex Offender Program. She also compiles pre-trial packets for the courts on all felony sex offender cases and has a major role in the rewriting of Policies and Procedures for the program.
She has demonstrated on a regular basis the willingness to accept additional duties and responsibilities without question, often working through her lunch period and staying late without receiving additional compensation.
In addition to the above, she is a Special Deputy in the Sheriff’s Office and often presents felony cases on violations of the Sex Offender Program to the Hamilton County Grand Jury. She also received a Division Commendation in 2008 for superior work knowledge and attitude.
CIVILIAN SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR Supervisor Michael “Mickey” J. Esposito, age 67, is a seven year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, assigned to Supervision of the Patrol Property Office, Patrol Division, and is a resident of Forest Park. Supervisor Esposito entered the Sheriff’s Office as a Data Entry Operator in the Records Division in 2001. He was reassigned in January 2002 to Property Office Supervisor, Patrol Division. He immediately recognized areas in the Property Office that needed correction and/or improvement and set about implementing corrective actions. His Supervision, contributions, and initiative have significantly enhanced the effective and efficient operation of the Property Office. One would expect that on occasion something may be misplaced or improperly disposed of by the Property Office due to the sheer volume of property logged into that unit; however, that is not the case. A 2008 Annual Inventory revealed all automobiles and property in the care, control, and custody of the Property Officer were accounted for and each piece of property had been properly processed. This accomplishment can be directly attributed to the diligence and hard work of Supervisor Esposito. Furthermore, his daily attention to his duties and his interaction with his personnel has earned him recognition as the Civilian Supervisor of the Year.
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