U.S. Attorney Parker honors community, law enforcement efforts in third annual awards ceremony

Press Release

CINCINNATI - Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, presented the 2024 Law Enforcement and Community Awards, honoring individuals and groups for their work to reduce gun violence and provide comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and exploitation.

"The recipients of this year's awards embody the spirit and dedication of what it means to come together and work hard for the greater good," said U.S. Attorney Parker. "These fine individuals exemplify being part of a positive community every day. They deserve our recognition and gratitude."

The awards include:

Kaia Grant Badge of Bravery and Sacrifice Award

Springboro Police Officer Christopher Heath Martin

Officer Heath Martin, a 20-year veteran of the Springboro Police Department, was first to the scene of a fire inside a home in June 2023. Officer Martin rescued a 36-year-old man, who uses a wheelchair, from a back bedroom of the home. The victim's battery-operated wheelchair is believed to be the cause of the fire and had exploded. The officer's body worn camera captured his life-saving actions of finding the victim and bringing him to safety.

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Law Enforcement Excellence Award

FBI Special Agent Robert Buzzard

Special Agent Buzzard serves as the lead agent on the FBI's Southern Ohio Safe Streets Task Force (SOSSTF) and is known throughout the Miami Valley for his law enforcement excellence and expertise. The depth of his drug trafficking investigations often leads to the sources of supply outside of the United States. Examples of cases in which he was the lead agent include U.S. v. Walton et al - in which the United States successfully dismantled a sophisticated long-running drug trafficking organization led by two brothers - and U.S. v. Goddard et al - a case involving two Dayton men who were convicted on all counts for crimes related to the 2019 death of Dayton Detective and DEA Task Force Officer Jorge DelRio. The defendants were each sentenced to life in prison.

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Project Safe Neighborhood's Guardian Award

ATF Special Agent Derek Graham

Special Agent Graham has effectively and creatively investigated a significant number of firearms-related crimes in the Southern District of Ohio. He has developed a special expertise in investigating straw purchasing cases. In recent months, Special Agent Graham has investigated and solved cases involving more than 20 defendants and approximately 100 firearms. One case involved a murder and five armed robberies across jurisdictions. The shooter and getaway driver have since been sentenced to 40 years and 23 years in prison respectively. In 2024 alone, Special Agent Graham has also either completed or assisted with 57 call detail records, 61 pen registers, 92 ping orders, 69 location mappings and 21 forensic extractions for agents and task force officers, as well as local police departments.

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The Project Safe Childhood Shield of Innocence Award

HSI Special Agent Sara Sellers

Since joining Homeland Security Investigations Columbus in December 2020, Special Agent Sellers has initiated more than 80 criminal investigations. Special Agent Sellers joined the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force in July 2023 and has developed the reputation as an extremely hardworking and diligent investigator. An example of her unwavering commitment to the investigation and prosecution of child predators around the world occurred in December 2023, when Special Agent Sellers was called after hours with an investigative referral from Australia regarding a potential minor victim currently being sexually abused in Ohio. Special Agent Sellers left the restaurant at which she was dining to begin the task of locating the victim and perpetrator immediately. Within 24 hours, Special Agent Sellers had confirmed the identity of the suspect, located her and the minor victim and secured warrants to arrest the suspect and execute a search warrant to obtain additional evidence in this investigation that also spawned new leads. Special Agent Sellers continues to dedicate her efforts to protect minor victims and is helping lead an investigation abroad into an international ring of exploiters who create and distribute child sexual abuse material.

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Polaris Community Service Award

Department of Veteran Affairs' Mobile Evaluation Team, Columbus Division of Police Mobile Crisis Response Team & Columbus Public Health

The partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Police, Veterans Evaluation Team, and the Columbus Division of Police's Mobile Crisis Response Team exemplifies exceptional innovation, collaboration, and dedication in community service. U.S. Attorney Parker recognized VMET's Clinical Director Dr. Heather Robinson, Investigator Jesse King, Benjamin Stark and Alexandra Woodruff,Columbus Police Lt. Michael Voorhis, Sgt. John Cheatham and Officers Francis Scalfani, Veronica Poehler, Robert Heinzman and Anthony Roberts, and Columbus Public Health Supervisor Kerith Palletti and Social Workers Kierstin Dettmers, Kevin Kincaid, Zach Simmons and Jason Cole for the collaboration that has created a vital connection between law enforcement and the Veteran community, addressing the unique challenges faced by veterans in crisis.

By merging the specialized expertise of the VA Police Veterans Response Team with the crisis intervention skills of the Columbus Division of Police Mobile Crisis Response Team, they have established a comprehensive support system that is both empathetic and effective. Together, these teams have introduced innovative crisis intervention strategies. Through joint protocols and training sessions, they have ensured both teams are well-prepared to handle the complexities of veteran-specific mental health crises. This partnership has pioneered the integration of mental health professionals into crisis response scenarios, leading to more informed and compassionate interactions with veterans in distress.

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Serve Thy Neighbor Award (Columbus)

Center for Family Safety & Healing and the Columbus Division of Police's ACT-DV program

U.S. Attorney Parker recognized Center for Family Safety & Healing's Interim Director Nancy Cunningham, President Melissa Graves, Justice System In-Research Supervisor Amber Howell and Sheronda Paramore, as well as Columbus Police Assistant Chief Greg Bodker and Commander Joseph Curmode for their work developing bridges to effectively link justice, advocacy and health systems and to build trust between residents and law enforcement.

Through ACT-DV, trained victim advocates respond with police officers at the scene of domestic violence crimes. This important public safety and victim services partnership increases access to support resources by offering safety planning, shelter and linkage to health/ mental health services immediately after a traumatic incident. Advocates also prepare victims for what to expect through the criminal prosecution process. Having advocates and officers work side by side supports the victims' best interest and builds trust between community and law enforcement. This effort also helps police officers develop a deeper understanding of domestic violence and the complexity, power and danger that far too often keeps women in abusive homes.

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Serve Thy Neighbor Award (Dayton)

Ms. Lisa Lucchesi, CareSource Health Plan

Ms. Lucchesi serves as the National Human Trafficking Project Manager for CareSource Health Plan, and her passion is to advocate for children who are being trafficked or at high risk of trafficking. She coordinated with local law enforcement agencies and service providers to organize a highly successful CareSource Human Trafficking Awareness Summit in Dayton. Ms. Lucchesi continues to host meetings with local and national stakeholders to focus on the crime of the sexual trafficking of minors, how to identify the victims, what resources are available for them and how to help these minor victims to improve their lives. Thanks to Ms. Lucchesi, the Dayton Police Department, Montgomery County Childrens Services and Montgomery County Juvenile Court have improved their processes in looking below the surface in identifying youth victims of sex trafficking who sadly sometimes don't see themselves as victims.

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Serve Thy Neighbor Award (Cincinnati)

John McConnaughey, Cincinnati Citizens Police Association

Mr. McConnaughey's service to his community has included serving on the Board of Directors for the FBI Citizens' Academy Alumni Association, as an Associate Member of the Hamilton County Police Association and as the President of the Cincinnati Citizens' Police Association (CCPA), which provides support to the Cincinnati law enforcement community. He was one of the founders of the Gang Initiative Project and the Southern Ohio Chapter of the Midwest Gang Investigators Association. Both organizations work with the Cincinnati public schools to combat gang activity. Mr. McConnaughey is a dedicated advocate for reducing crime and violence amongst youth.

Mitch Morris, Cincinnati Works

Mr. Morris is a dedicated community servant leader, working to end gun violence in the community. He connects at-risk youth with mentors and helps them find work through Cincinnati Works. Cincinnati Works partners with people in poverty to assist them in advancing economic self-sufficiency. Mr. Morris oversees the organization's Phoenix Program Outreach & Mentoring. His dedication to ending poverty and gun violence is unwavering.

For more information about the U.S. Attorney's Office's annual law enforcement awards, please contact Law Enforcement Coordinator Mitchell Seckman at 614-469-5715.

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Updated October 25, 2024