After the FOP Memorial Service, the Lima Exchange Club presented its Law Officer of the Year Award.
They first honored the man that started the award, Jack Somerville, by renaming the award after him. Somerville started the award 49 years ago and has been a supporter of law enforcement as a special deputy for the sheriff's office and helping start Crimestoppers.
The first officer to get the newly renamed "Jack Somerville Award" is Detective Sergeant Paula Strickler. Strickler is honored for her work in cases against the elderly and disabled. In 2017, Sgt. Strickler, along with her other duties, took on 29 cases involving crimes committed against the elderly or persons with disabilities, helping to recover thousands of dollars, stolen from these individuals.
"I just started taking those cases on and started working them because unfortunately they can't take care of things themselves and be able to help them and make sure they get treated properly and get restitution made when things are done against them," commented Strickler.
The Exchange Club also unveiled a new place to display the names of the Law Officer of Year Award recipients.
