The announcement of the Jack Somerville Law Officer of the Year Award was made as part of the fallen officer memorial service at the FOP Lima Lodge.
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Lima and Allen County law enforcement gathered on Wednesday to honor the fallen officers who have served in the line of duty.
Given the national climate around law enforcement, the Lima Noon Optimists chose to give the Respect the Law Award to the Fraternal Order of Police.
The award typically goes to a community member that shows heroism. The president of the FOP says it means a lot in a time he feels police are more attacked than ever. Touching on the idea of defunding police, he says although possible, it wouldn't work reallocating city funds. He cited a 2016 Yale study that states there was no racial bias found in fatal shootings by police but there was bias in use of force. Despite that, he believes officers have no hidden agenda.