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Message from the Executive Director – Summer 2017
Mar 07, 2019

Message from the Executive Director

The assault and killing of Police Officers continues nationwide and unfortunately Ohio has recently been involved in bloodshed.  As many of you may know Chief of Police Steven Eric DiSario from the Kirkersville Police Department was shot and killed in the line of duty on May 12th.  OPBA members from the Tiffin Police Department and Seneca County Sheriff’s Department were also engaged in a shooting on May 9th.  During this shooting, Deputy Luke Cantu was struck by a bullet in the shoulder and continues to recover.  Please keep Chief DiSario’s family, Deputy Cantu and all Police Officers in your thoughts and prayers.

The OPBA continues to represent our members in the most critical of times.  Besides representing the officers and deputies above, the OPBA has received reports that Officers from the Englewood Police Department and Willoughby Police Department and a Deputy from the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office have all been cleared in their use of deadly force.  Please continue to call the OPBA when you need an attorney.

OPBA members John Tanner and Kevin Steinman from the Sylvania Township Police Department were honored as honorable mention winners for the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) Top Cops Award on May 12th in Washington D.C.  Congratulations to both officers.  Please see the description of their nomination below.  (there was a TOP Cops page and a picture sent over)

As many OPBA members, who are also members of the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund, found out the OP&F is making dramatic changes to retiree healthcare.  OPBA Executive Director Tom Austin, former Executive Director Jeff Pedicino, Chief of Staff Dan Leffler and Justice Andy Douglas met with OP&F Executive Director John Gallagher on April 17th.  During the meeting the OPBA expressed our concerns about the OP&F proposed changes.  Please consider staying up to date on ANY PROPOSED OP&F CHANGES.

The OPBA was successful at the Ohio Supreme Court on behalf of a member.  On May 17th the Ohio Supreme Court issued a 6-1 opinion placing a member back to work.  Thank you to OPBA Attorney Joe Hegedus who argued the case, and Chief of Staff Dan Leffler and Justice Douglas for their support.

The OPBA continued to be mindful of our members needs on the federal level.  I met with the offices of Congressman Brad Wenstrup, Steve Chabot, Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman in Washington D.C.  I discussed the Public Safety Officers Improvement Act, Protecting Public Safety Officer Social Security Benefits, State and Local Law Enforcement Access to surplus Military Equipment and Increased Protections for Law Enforcement Officers.  I also spoke about the opioid epidemic that law enforcement and correctional officers are dealing with daily. (2 Pictures were sent over)

Don’t forget to send us your pictures or announcements of events in your department for the OPBA social media sites.

STAY SAFE!


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Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association
10147 Royalton Rd Suite J
North Royalton, OH 44133
  440-237-7900

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