Friends, family, and fellow officers honored the career of Detective Sergeant Matt Mayer of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday. Mayer retired from the department after 26 years, and Sheriff Steve Sheldon praised his service.
”Matt has really had an impact on this community. A great burglary detective, he has the unique ability to be able to tell you when it happened, where, and who was involved in any given case even years later,” stated Sheldon.
Sheldon presented Mayer with a plaque honoring him for his years of service and dedication. Sheldon added that Mayer would be sworn in as a Special Deputy at a later time.
“It will be a great loss to the department. His experience and knowledge have been a great asset not only to the department but to the community as well,” said Sheldon.
Mayer, a high school graduate of Madison and Ohio State University was appointed to the Detective Bureau in 1991 and later promoted to the Sergeant Patrol Bureau in 1995.
According to Major Dale Fortney, Mayer worked the gamut of criminal activity but specialized in property crimes. Fortney also added that during his years of service Mayer had received numerous commendations and thank you letters.
In 2011 Mayer received the Richland County Supervisor of the Year Award, and was the first officer to prosecute a case under the Organized Crime Statute.
Mayer thanked friends and family for their support throughout his career and said his future plans for retirement included woodworking, and serving part-time possibly as a court bailiff or security officer. He has not yet decided on specific plans but just remarked he wanted”to get back to doing things that sometimes this job takes away from you.”
