MANSFIELD — North central Ohio criminals — especially drug dealers –have found themselves on the wrong side of Stephen Blust for more than three decades.
City Council on Wednesday evening will honor Blust, who retired May 1 as a lieutenant after 34 years with the Mansfield Police Department.
Local lawmakers are meeting a day later than normal due to Tuesday’s primary election.
Blust began in the MPD in 1992 as a patrol officer assigned to the community service bureau.
“Through dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence, he advanced through the ranks, earning promotion to sergeant in July 2015 and then to lieutenant in May 2022,” according to a resolution council will approve.
Blust worked in a variety of assignments with the department, including the major crimes detective section before transferring to the SIU/METRICH Enforcement Unit, where he served as an officer, sergeant and lieutenant.
“His contributions in these roles demonstrated strong leadership, investigative expertise, and an unwavering commitment to public safety,” according to the resolution.
Blust was selected the MPD’s “Officer of the Year” in 1998, “Detective of the Year” in 2003 and “Supervisor of the Year” in 2016.
He served as a field training officer and is also a certified computer voice stress
analyzer examiner, further contributing to investigative capabilities within the department.
From 1998 to 2008, Blust served as a member of the SWAT Team, “demonstrating his willingness to take on high-risk assignments in service to the community,” according to the resolution.
“After more than three decades of dedicated service, Lieutenant Blust leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, leadership, and commitment to the citizens he served and the officers he mentored,” the resolution said.
In other activity Wednesday, council is scheduled to:
— vote on the appointment of Shelby City Council member Charles Roub to the Richland County 9-1-1 Review Committee. Under a revised state law, every county shall maintain a six-member county 9-1-1 program review committee. One of those six people must be “a member of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation in the county selected by the majority of the legislative authorities of municipal corporations in the county.”
— vote on the acceptance of a $100,000 from the Richland County Foundation to be used in the ongoing restoration and renovation of the Liberty Park Bath House.
— vote on the acceptance of a $175,000 grant from the U.S. Dept. of Justice for the city police department’s DNA backlog reduction program.
— vote on the acceptance of a $39,140.47 grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services to be used to replace body-worn cameras in the police department.
— vote on the acceptance of a $2,500 grant from the Richland County Foundation to be used for the city’s “Summer Fun in the Parks” program.
— vote on three damage claims by residents totaling $4,124.15.
The evening is scheduled to begin with a public utilities committee meeting at 6:50 p.m. Council’s caucus session is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. followed immediately by its legislative session.
(Below is the legislation scheduled for consideration Wednesday evening by Mansfield City Council.)
