MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Police Department released its Top Cop and other divisional person of the year awards earlier this week.
Officers Joe Gladden, Nicole Gearhart, Ryan Grimshaw, James Mark Perry, Sgt. Patrick Williams and Lt. Mike Napier were named Top Cops for this year.
Gladden, a 2016 Top Cop, is the epitome of “team player” as he gladly assists other officers on calls, often bringing his prior experience as a law enforcement officer to a shift of younger, inexperienced officers, according to Capt. Shari Robertson.
“He led his shift in many statistical categories in 2017 and recovered over $25,000 in stolen property,” she said.
Gearhart, who has been with the department for 10 years and has been a past recipient of “Officer of the Year,” has exceeded the expectations of a new Detective, since being assigned to the Unit nearly two years ago, Robertson said.
“This officer was instrumental in the success of the recent long term investigations of two high profile drug trafficking organizations,” she said. “She, also, assumed the responsibility of overseeing all the equipment inventory for the entire METRICH region. She does what is asked of her without question nor complaint and needs little supervision.”
Grimshaw, who has be awarded numerous divisional awards and was twice, recognized as “Officer of the Year” over the course of his career, which began in 2007, completed 171 General Offense Reports, issued 50 Summonses, made 13 Felony Arrests, 27 Misdemeanor Arrests, issued 39 Traffic Citations, and recovered over $15,000 in stolen property.
“These statistics do not reflect the dozens of Intel reports he has submitted to METRICH nor the fact he served 5 months as a Field Training Officer, essentially making these statistics even more impressive,” Robertson said. “Given he was only on solo patrol 7 months in 2017. All this was done while working nights, a shift more known for the precarious type of calls rather than the volume of calls.”
Grimshaw is currently is a member of the Division’s SWAT team, serves as a Field Training Officer, and a Taser Instructor. He also serves as an academy instructor at Stark State University as well as the Division’s FOP Blue Unit Coordinator.
Perry, a member of the division since 2007, has spent most of his time in the Patrol Section while also serving as a Reservist in the Ohio Air National Guard.
“His work outstanding work within the community while representing the Mansfield Division of police, exhibits the traits we want each officer to embrace,” Robertson said.
Since being awarded this position, Perry has restructured the “active shooter” policy for the schools and brought them up to date with current training. In 2017, he completed over 250 General offense reports and issued 97 summonses while assisting school staff and administration with various calls from fighting to bomb threats.
“His commitment to students and staff is evident in his actions as he spends much of his time mentoring youth and counseling them on the effects of drug and alcohol abuse,” Robertson said. “His training as a “Crisis Intervention Team” instructor has been beneficial to those experiencing mental health issues and he has gained the respect and trust of the students as well as school administrators.”
Williams, who began his career with MPD in 2006, works beside those officers he supervises and is near the top in statistical categories amongst Division Supervisors.
He is an active member of the Ohio Air National Guard and serves the Division for several years as a Recruitment Officer and SWAT member. He believes in serving the community and frequently volunteers to represent the Division during public events, where he eagerly engages local youth by sharing law enforcement knowledge. He recently initiated a Division wide program in local elementary schools where police read to area youth.
“This helps to not only promote a positive image of law enforcement within our community but, also, to foster a lasting bond on these children while building trust within our future generations,” Robertson said.
Williams is an active member of the Ohio National Guard. He has received numerous Special Commendations over his career, including the Division’s “Medal of Honor.”
Napier, a supervisor who was recently promoted to his new post carries with him a work ethic which is “second to none,” Robertson said.
He has served the Department in a capacity of several roles throughout his career including: SWAT member, Firearms Instructor, Traffic Crash Reconstructionist, and FTO Unit Coordinator.
He started 2017 as a Sergeant and while overseeing the 2nd Shift Patrol Section, this supervisor mentored many of the Divisions newest officers.
“His patience, great attitude and knowledge was a huge asset to those young men and women,” Robertson said.
Later in that year, he was moved to the Detective Section where he was immediately thrust into a high profile Homicide/Suicide investigation, she said. A short time later, this Sergeant was promoted to Lieutenant and once again, transitioned into a new role that was very demanding. It required him to oversee the Division’s state mandated training as well as promote entrance level Civil Service testing.
Persons of the Year
Anthony Tombasco was named Mansfield Division of Police 2017 Civilian of the Year.
Tombasco’s work ethic and knowledge of his job is only rivaled by his spent time on the job,” Robertson said. “He has continually secured state and federal grant funding while maintaining National and International standards for the Division’s Forensic Science Section.
Tombasco manages testing of controlled substances, DNA, fingerprint and fire arm examinations.
His testing has been instrumental in assisting the Division and the METRICH Task Force in responding to the growing drug crisis in our community and the ensuing prosecutions. He understands the importance of training the community regarding the operations of the Forensic Science Section and has made numerous presentations to local service organizations, college students, community groups, patrol officers, METRICH partner agencies, prosecutors, and the Bar Association.
“We are proud to announce Forensic Science Section and Laboratory Director Anthony Tambasco as the Mansfield Division of Police, “2017 Civilian of the Year”,” Robertson said.
William Bushong was awarded Detective of the Year.
He handled over 97 cases in 2017 ranging from juvenile runaway cases to major felony offenses, including murder. He is easy to supervise and often provides insight into other cases.
He also played a major role in the Patsy Hudson homicide.
“He went to trial to represent a case in 2017 on one of the most intriguing crimes to ever occur in our city, the homicide of Patsy Hudson,” Robertson said. “Ms. Hudson’s remains were found scattered throughout an area of Richland County in 2016. This detective’s work on that case, helped lead to a life sentence in 2017 for one of the suspect’s, Walter Renz.”
Sergeant Toneli Webb was awarded Supervisor of the Year.
“This Sergeant leads by example by working alongside his officers which is reflective by his 2017 statistics: 110 General Offense Reports, 19 Crashes, 26 citations, 16 Summonses, 56 written warnings, and 31 Field Interviews; leading nearly all supervisors in these categories within the Division,” Robertson said.
“He has volunteered to oversee the Division’s “Project Life Saver” program and engages the community policing philosophy by participating in activities to engage our youth at the Friendly House. He has gone above and beyond what has been expected of him by proactively seeking ways to positively impact Division operations and promote teamwork amongst his coworkers. His work ethic and positive attitude are examples of what the Division wants our supervisors to do on a daily basis.”
