4 Tiffin police officers receive recognition

12/30/2005

TIFFIN Four Tiffin police officers have been recognized by the department for their outstanding work, Chief David LaGrange said.

Officers Scott McDole, Vern Keefe, and Jake DeMonte were given the Tiffin Police Department s Medal of Valor for saving the life of a Liberty Township man who was struck by a hammer Oct. 31 during an argument at a Tiffin home.

Officers called to a home at 282 West Market St. found the residence filled with natural gas from a broken line and Claude Nighswander, 51, who had been beaten with a hammer, unconscious inside the house. Despite the danger of an explosion, the officers entered the home and dragged Mr. Nighswander outside, where he was treated.

Mr. Nighswander was later hospitalized in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

Donald E. Null, 40, of Tiffin, who attacked Mr. Nighswander, died of self-inflicted stab wounds in his chest and neck.

Also honored was Detective Jason Windsor, who received the department s Distinguished Service Award for his work in solving an Oct. 7 armed robbery.