Commissioner Bubb Honored To Speak At Police Week Ceremony in Newark

NEWARK — Licking County’s law enforcement officers risk their lives to protect residents — a job worthy of appreciation and a little help, officials said Wednesday at a Police Week ceremony.

“Every day, Ohio police officers put themselves between us and our families and harm’s way,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said.


Six officers have died while on duty in Licking County, the last in 1985. Since January, 71 police officers have died in the United States. With six deaths, Ohio is second only to Florida in number of officer fatalities this year, Newark Police Chief Steven Sarver said.


“That’s an unbelievable number,” Sarver said.


Law enforcement can remember the dead by preparing themselves for each call, Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said. Deputies train in high-speed pursuit tactics so they know what to do in those circumstances.


“The danger is there, and we must remember that the danger exists,” Thorp said.


Residents can help law enforcement by being aware of what’s happening in their neighborhoods, calling in tips and testifying in court, Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb said.


About 300 officers cannot protect a county of 167,000 people if they aren’t willing to help, he added.


“The thin blue line is very thin,” Bubb said.


People want police to protect them but often won’t testify as a witness or serve on a jury, Licking County Prosecutor Ken Oswalt said.


“You can’t expect them to go it alone,” Oswalt said.


Several agencies, including the Licking County Sheriff’s Office and Newark police, offer citizen academies to learn about police work.


Officers wore their uniforms and saluted as the names of those killed in the line of duty were read.


“I hope we don’t ever have to add to this list,” Fraternal Order of Police President Darrin Logan said.


The event was a first for Licking County, but Police Week celebrations have occurred since President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1963.


The ceremony comes at a time when the city of Newark is negotiating police and fire contracts and Senate Bill 5 threatens collective bargaining.


“Very few people would do what they do for what they’re compensated,” said Newark Mayor Bob Diebold, adding that he hoped for a balance with the unions.


DeWine, who was the keynote speaker, said he learned a lot about how to treat people riding to crime scenes with officers while he was an assistant prosecutor.


“There’s so much more to police work than arrests and convictions,” DeWine said.