Mary Alice Reporting – Wednesday evening, members gathered with the local Fraternal Order of Police to recognize a few outstanding individuals.
The 50-year member night is a way to distinguish past law enforcement and the seven honorees all had over 20, some over 30 years, on the force.
Lodge #4 President Bob Everett said this is an important event to point out the hard work and dedication.
“Fifty years in any organization is phenomenal, especially when you can have 50 years in a law enforcement organization. It’s pretty much a known fact that law enforcement officers lifespan if not quit like other folks and we wanted to get these folks honored.”
Among those those receiving a plaque, a pin, and certificates from Senator Al Landis and Representative Brett Hillyer, was Dennis Vitt, who started his career in January of 1973 at the Tuscarawas Sheriff’s Office before transitioning to the New Philadelphia Police Department until his retirement in January 2001.
“It was an honor, because I never thought, you know, back in 1972 I’d be here 50 years later. I’m still involved in law enforcement with the police auxiliary, with New Philadelphia Police. It’s different now than it was back then. The drugs out there, that’s the difference that I see.”
Also at the presentation was FOP’s National Vice President Joe Gamaldi, from Texas, who pointed out why 50 years in the organization was significant.
“Because all of you have built a foundation that the FOP is standing on and, boy, are we making the most of it. Our membership continues to grow and most important we have become the unequivocal number one voice for law enforcement in this country, and that’s exactly how it should be.”
The last time the FOP Lodge #4 held a 50-year member ceremony was in 2018, where ten members were honored, eight who were in attendance, and out of the total, only two are surviving today, and both were there Wednesday and received a plaque.
2023 FOP-Tuscora Lodge #4 Honorees:
- Thomas Staggers: Started his law enforcement career starting in September of 1973 and retired in March of 2002. He served his entire career with the New Philadelphia, OH Police Department.
- Charles Davis: Started his law enforcement career starting in July of 1970 and retired in May of 1999. He served his entire career with the Dover, OH Police Department.
- Richard Moran: Started his law enforcement career starting in February of 1973 and retired in August of 1997. He served his entire career with the Dover, OH Police Department.
- Jeffrey Kirkbride: Started his law enforcement career starting in March of 1973 and retired in May of 2000. He served his entire career with the Dover, OH Police Department.
- Rick Campbell: Started his law enforcement career starting in April of 1971 with the Strasburg, OH Police Department. He also worked a brief time at the New Philadelphia, OH Police Department, before going to the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department, where he retired in September of 2006.
- William Fieger: Started his law enforcement career starting in January of 1964 with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and retired in February of 1986.
- Dennis Vitt: Started his law enforcement career starting in January of 1973 at the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department, later went to the New Philadelphia Police Department, where he retired in January of 2001.
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