BOARDMAN — Township officials have planned a special event to recognize the work of the Boardman Police Department, beginning at 4 p.m. today at Masters Pavilion in Boardman Park. The venue was chosen so the public and family members can attend.

“While Boardman Police Department does outstanding work on a daily basis, we’ve selected some representative examples to publicly acknowledge,” Chief Todd Werth said.

The ceremony had been discussed over the past several months, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing as the nation has seen places of civil unrest. Township leaders regularly asked about the well-being of the police department.

“My answer has always been that everyone is doing their job in an outstanding manner, even during these difficult times,” Werth said. “In addition to the discussions we’ve had, they have been very supportive in requests to purchase equipment, especially for officer and employee safety to include for things within the department facility and for officers working out in the community.”

But formally and publicly recognizing the police department had been put on hold. Township trustees meetings have been conducted virtually since the start of the pandemic.

“The meetings have very limited participation from the public and doing anything during these meetings would preclude family members from participating,” the chief said.

These employees will be recognized in a short, informal ceremony anticipated to be about one hour in length:

• Armed robbery at Walgreens: Officers Brian Moss, Thomas Zorzi, Breanna Jones, Angelo Pasquale, Daryn Tallman, Lt. John Allsopp;

• Medical response to overdose: Officer Nick Newland;

• Response to attempted suicide: Officers Shannon Chaffee, Troy Mackall;

• Departmental software upgrade: Capt. Albert Kakascik;

• CIT officer of the year: Sgt. Glenn Patton;

• Dispatch call – Struthers shooting: Dispatcher Christan Craig;

• Oath of office: Officer Raymond Hillard;

• Promotion: Sgt. David Sheely.

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