Davis, Hamilton earn Highland County Prosecutor's Officer of the Quarter awards; K-9 Zar receives badge
Lead Summary
By
Caitlin Forsha-crforsha@gmail.com
In three separate presentations Wednesday, Dec. 7, Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and her staff honored two recent Officers of the Quarter as well as a local K-9 officer.
Recognized Wednesday were the July-September Officer of the Quarter, Deputy Robert Davis of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office; the October-December Officer of the Quarter, Officer Mark Hamilton of the Greenfield Police Department; and Greenfield K-9 Zar, who received a badge from the Prosecutor’s Office.
Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera and Detective Vincent Antinore were on hand to support Davis, who was selected for his investigative work during an “Operation Ice Breaker” roundup earlier this year.
As previously reported, the Highland County Task Force executed arrests in April during the third phase of the large-scale drug investigation, with this one focusing on the alleged trading of stolen items for drugs. Two stolen vehicles were recovered during search warrants executed at a Carmel business April 8.
“It was cold, and it was muddy, and it was nasty,” Collins told Davis. “We all went to the house, and you walked through that entire disaster and took the VIN of every single car out and found two stolen vehicles out of that pile of cars, which was awesome.”
The individuals charged in connection with that warrant have since been convicted and sentenced on various charges, including the business owner being sentenced to four and a half years in prison for trafficking in marijuana, tampering with evidence and receiving stolen property.
This past spring, Davis also apprehended a suspect wanted on murder charges out of Fayette County. That case was also closed recently, with the suspect sentenced to two life sentences for murder.
In addition to his actions, Collins also praised Davis for his positive attitude and willingness to help without complaint.
“You are always just even-keeled,” she said. “You do a good job.”
Next, Officer Hamilton was recognized, with Greenfield Police Department Patrolman Jay Beatty also attending on behalf on Chief Jeremiah Oyer, who could not make it for the ceremony.
As previously reported, a Highland County grand jury handed down indictments against 34 individuals during their Tuesday, Dec. 6 session, and of those, Collins said Hamilton presented 11 cases.
“I told him this yesterday, and I will say it again, it’s absolutely impressive for so many reasons to have that many cases to get ready for one grand jury,” Collins said. “I didn't hold them — he got them here from November 1 to November 18 — but then to present those cases and never cracked a file. It was amazing.
“It was every single detail, right down to the amount of drugs that these guys tested for. It truly is unbelievable.”
The Prosecutor’s Office staff also said they were amazed at Hamilton’s “phenomenal memory,” as described by Victim Witness Office director Heather Collins. He remembers “exactly where every single person in Greenfield in the surrounding area lives” and all kinds of facts about them, Prosecutor Collins said.
Assistant prosecutor Molly Bolek agreed, saying that “if I need to find somebody, he knows where they are.”
Victim advocates Lisa Dingey and Debbie Zile added that Hamilton is always available to help them and answer their questions, and office assistant Karen Bridges said he is always “quick to respond” to their office.
“You are amazing,” Collins told Hamilton. “We appreciate you very much.”
Davis and Hamilton each received a $50 gift card courtesy of Rural King, with the HCPO staff thanking the store for their generous gift.
Donations from any business who would like to help reward the winning officers are being accepted. Any interested county businesses can call (937) 393-1851, and staff members will schedule an appointment to pick up the donation.
• • •
Also honored Wednesday afternoon was Greenfield K-9 officer Zar, who received his own police badge.
In December 2016, Collins presented four local K-9 officers with their own badges. Collins designed each K-9’s badge to match the badge of their commanding officer and department, with their name printed on the back.
Zar received his own badge Wednesday, along with some dog treats. He was accompanied by his handler, Beatty, who is also a former Officer of the Quarter recipient.
Beatty said that Zar is 6 years old, and he has had Zar for nearly two years. Collins said that the K-9 is “a good boy” and that they wanted him to have his own badge to match the other K-9s in the county.
“Thank you, Anneka,” Beatty said. “I appreciate it.”
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Recognized Wednesday were the July-September Officer of the Quarter, Deputy Robert Davis of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office; the October-December Officer of the Quarter, Officer Mark Hamilton of the Greenfield Police Department; and Greenfield K-9 Zar, who received a badge from the Prosecutor’s Office.
Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera and Detective Vincent Antinore were on hand to support Davis, who was selected for his investigative work during an “Operation Ice Breaker” roundup earlier this year.
As previously reported, the Highland County Task Force executed arrests in April during the third phase of the large-scale drug investigation, with this one focusing on the alleged trading of stolen items for drugs. Two stolen vehicles were recovered during search warrants executed at a Carmel business April 8.
“It was cold, and it was muddy, and it was nasty,” Collins told Davis. “We all went to the house, and you walked through that entire disaster and took the VIN of every single car out and found two stolen vehicles out of that pile of cars, which was awesome.”
The individuals charged in connection with that warrant have since been convicted and sentenced on various charges, including the business owner being sentenced to four and a half years in prison for trafficking in marijuana, tampering with evidence and receiving stolen property.
This past spring, Davis also apprehended a suspect wanted on murder charges out of Fayette County. That case was also closed recently, with the suspect sentenced to two life sentences for murder.
In addition to his actions, Collins also praised Davis for his positive attitude and willingness to help without complaint.
“You are always just even-keeled,” she said. “You do a good job.”
Next, Officer Hamilton was recognized, with Greenfield Police Department Patrolman Jay Beatty also attending on behalf on Chief Jeremiah Oyer, who could not make it for the ceremony.
As previously reported, a Highland County grand jury handed down indictments against 34 individuals during their Tuesday, Dec. 6 session, and of those, Collins said Hamilton presented 11 cases.
“I told him this yesterday, and I will say it again, it’s absolutely impressive for so many reasons to have that many cases to get ready for one grand jury,” Collins said. “I didn't hold them — he got them here from November 1 to November 18 — but then to present those cases and never cracked a file. It was amazing.
“It was every single detail, right down to the amount of drugs that these guys tested for. It truly is unbelievable.”
The Prosecutor’s Office staff also said they were amazed at Hamilton’s “phenomenal memory,” as described by Victim Witness Office director Heather Collins. He remembers “exactly where every single person in Greenfield in the surrounding area lives” and all kinds of facts about them, Prosecutor Collins said.
Assistant prosecutor Molly Bolek agreed, saying that “if I need to find somebody, he knows where they are.”
Victim advocates Lisa Dingey and Debbie Zile added that Hamilton is always available to help them and answer their questions, and office assistant Karen Bridges said he is always “quick to respond” to their office.
“You are amazing,” Collins told Hamilton. “We appreciate you very much.”
Davis and Hamilton each received a $50 gift card courtesy of Rural King, with the HCPO staff thanking the store for their generous gift.
Donations from any business who would like to help reward the winning officers are being accepted. Any interested county businesses can call (937) 393-1851, and staff members will schedule an appointment to pick up the donation.
• • •
Also honored Wednesday afternoon was Greenfield K-9 officer Zar, who received his own police badge.
In December 2016, Collins presented four local K-9 officers with their own badges. Collins designed each K-9’s badge to match the badge of their commanding officer and department, with their name printed on the back.
Zar received his own badge Wednesday, along with some dog treats. He was accompanied by his handler, Beatty, who is also a former Officer of the Quarter recipient.
Beatty said that Zar is 6 years old, and he has had Zar for nearly two years. Collins said that the K-9 is “a good boy” and that they wanted him to have his own badge to match the other K-9s in the county.
“Thank you, Anneka,” Beatty said. “I appreciate it.”
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