Owens group to honor 16 in northwest Ohio honor

4/26/2010

Fifteen Northwest Ohio public-safety professionals and one civilian were chosen to receive the 7th annual Outstanding Service Awards by Owens Community College's Alumni Association for contributions to Toledo's surrounding communities.

The awards are for outstanding police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, service to community, and community spirit.

The winners are Toledo police officer Cherie Bryce and Sgt. Keith Miller for saving a victim of a hostage crisis, and Toledo firefighters Tom Bartley, Eric Ellis, and Gil Ruiz, and Lts. Matt Brixey and Greg Yingling for reacting quickly and saving a man's life in a smoke-filled home.

Also being honored are Williams County paramedic Michael Fox for community service and a group of law enforcement officers from various Ohio agencies — David Gillispie, Jake Hardie, Jennifer Meyers, David Pauly, Alessandra Norden, and Pete Swartz — for identifying and breaking up a teen prostitution ring.

Investigator John Helm of the Wood County Prosecutor's Office is being recognized for community service and help closing murder inquiries, and civilian Jim Woodward for working as a barber at the Hancock County Justice Center and creating a monthly speaker program.