Ashland Police Division holds 2nd Annual Awards Banquet
February 22, 2024
Ashland, Ohio—The Ashland City Police Division recognized nearly 20 officers and staff
members this past Saturday evening, February 17, at their 2nd Annual Awards Banquet held at
Mount Vernon Estate.
Captain Craig Kiley gave a synopsis of the projects the Division is working on for 2024. Chief
David Lay recognized those who received Letters of Commendation during 2023. Letter
recipients included:
• Officer Mason Birkbeck for his exemplary officer-initiated criminal patrol work in a drug
paraphernalia and trafficking case.
• Officer Adam Brock for his professionalism in which a community member complimented
Adam’s willingness to work with others and his positive impact on children.
• Sergeant Lee Eggeman for conducting a traffic stop that resulted in the recovery of
heroin, drug abuse instruments, and drug paraphernalia. His continued investigative
efforts on this case also led to the recovery of additional methamphetamine and heroin
in connection to the initial stop.
• Officer Abraham Neumann received two letters, the first for his off-duty efforts in
apprehending a shoplifter, and the second for providing help to an injured driver trapped
after a severe crash. Officer Neumann broke a window, climbed inside the vehicle and
rendered aid until EMS crews arrived.
• Division Detective Brad Scarl and Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Detective Rick Kinter
for their coordinated search warrant with other METRICH detectives to help remove
more dangerous drugs from our community after the tragic drug overdose of a
community high school-aged student.
Detective Sergeant Curt Dorsey earned the Meritorious Service Award for going above and
beyond his primary duties while investigating the rape of a juvenile. Sergeant Dorsey was
actually nominated for this award by the Captain of the Stow Police Department, who praised
Dorsey and the entire APD for their professionalism, service and spirit of collaboration.
Several officers and staff were recognized for their years of service with the Division as well:
• 5 Years: Officer Mason Birkbeck and Records Specialist Laura Messersmith
• 15 Years: Officer Jeremy Jarvis and Sergeant Jonathan Kohler
This year marks 30 years of service for Chief David Lay, who received a commendation from
the Ohio House of Representatives, presented by State Representative Melanie Miller. Chief
Lay also earned an educational achievement award for obtaining his Master of Public Safety
degree from the University of Virginia this past May.
A special Life-Saving Award was given to Officer Connor Black who was dispatched to a
reported house fire back in February 2023. Upon arrival he found an attached garage fully
engulfed in flames and proceeded to wake the residents and start their evacuation before the
fire crews arrived.
“Connor showed great humility about his actions, and when his supervisors looked into this for
me, he told them that he was only doing his job,” Chief Lay said, “Without his quick thinking,
however, that incident could have had a more tragic ending.”
The peer vote awards rounded out the evening with Civilian, Officer and Supervisor of the Year,
capped by the Chief’s Achievement Award. Qualities taken into consideration for these awards
include professional conduct, congeniality between employees, dedication and commitment to
the Division’s mission and goals, moral character, and outstanding performance in furthering the
professional image of the Ashland Police Division.
Civilian of the Year went to Justice Center Facility maintenance worker Brad Baker. Brad was
instrumental in several large projects this past year and has been the driving force behind
upcoming building renovations.
Officer of the Year was awarded to Officer Adam Wolbert, a six-year employee of APD who
works on a night squad and is a Team Leader on the Special Response Team.
Supervisor of the Year went to Sergeant Lee Eggeman, a 12-year employee who was promoted
to Sergeant in 2022 and currently helps to lead C Squad on nights.
Officer Adam Srnis received the Chief’s Achievement Award this year. “When selecting the
winners of this award, I focus on motivation, humility, dependability and selflessness,” Chief Lay
explained, “but I also see leadership potential in the winners of this award, whether they
recognize it or not. The recipients of this award are some of Ashland’s finest.”
Srnis is currently assigned to A Squad and is a Field Training officer, where he has consistently
been in the top three regarding activity for total arrests, drugs arrests, OVI’s, and citations within
the Patrol Bureau this past year. Adam was previously voted Officer of the Year in 2022.
Outside of public safety, Adam is a Deacon at the Faith Baptist Church in Amherst and
organized a bible study group among his squamates last year, leading faith and scripture
discussions.
Mayor Matt Miller wrapped up the evening by thanking the Division for all the work they do to
keep the Ashland community safe. “All of the wonderful improvements we’ve made to our
downtown and all of the efforts we have put in to cleaning up our city and renovating old
buildings do not matter if we are not a safe community where individuals and families can enjoy
a peaceful quality of life.”
____________________________________________________________________________
Contact:
Amanda Furman
419-289-4181
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