Washington County
Sheriff's Office
News Archives
Every Year, the Washington County Government recognizes employees for their dedication and service to the County. Employees are awarded for years of service every fifth year. This year, many employees were recognized:
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Detention Center
25 years Richard Blair 20 Years Steven McCoy, George Buckheit, Earnest White, Timothy White, James Powell, Doreen Burcker, Douglas Moore, Michael Borsos, Linda Weicht 15 Years Douglas Long, Brenda Wright, Thomas VanMetre 10 Years Ricky Ebersole, Kim Crumbacker, Michael Rafter, Mary Jane Blickenstaff |
Patrol / Judicial
20 Years Roy Harsh, Thomas Newton, Thomas Routzahn, Mark Faith 15 Years Tracey Peyton 10 Years Gregory Alton, Charles Enders, Michael Gladhill, Mark Keys, James Holsinger, John Martin, James Grimm, Joseph Keller, Todd Kerns, Robert Whittington 5 Years David Izat, Brian Burke, Shelly Dick, James Sword |
March 15th, 2003
In addition to Norford's courage and fast thinking, other rescues have been made recently. DFC Scott Buskirk, while traveling home after off-duty Court one day came across a vehicle overturned, with a mother and her young child trapped inside. Buskirk quickly extracted the child from the vehicle, placed him inside his Police cruiser to protect him from the bitter cold, and went back and assisted in extracting the mother, who was injured.
While on patrol, Deputy Ben Jones observed a house on fire, and managed to alert the unaware home owners. Though this fire was quickly contained, had Jones not been there and acted quickly, the house could have easily been consumed by flames.
January 8, 2005
Five Patrol Deputies were promoted to the rank of Deputy First Class (DFC) today. Jason Crawford, Rick Whittington, Scott Buskirk, Arnold Cerezo, and Damian Broussard received their 'DFC Stripe,' after a brief ceremony at the Sheriff's Office.
DFC Jason Crawford served as a Correctional Deputy in the Detention Center when hired in January of 2000. Crawford applied to be a Patrol Deputy and was accepted, and started in January of 2002. After some time, DFC Crawford requested to be a K-9 handler, and was given the task. Since then, DFC Crawford and his partner, Kabar have become a great service to the Sheriff's Office.
DFC Damian Broussard also served in the Detention Center in 1998, and served there until hired with Patrol. Since, DFC Broussard has handled numerous calls for service, and continues to serve Washington County.
DFC Rick Whittington began his career with the Sheriff's Office in February of 1997, and was hired as a Patrol Deputy in January of 2002. Whittington also serves in the MD National Guard, and was activated to serve in Afghanistan in July of 2003. DFC Whittington was overseas for almost a year, and returned home and was welcomed back by the department.
DFC Scott Buskirk began his employment as a Police Communications Operator at the Sheriff's Office in 2000. Buskirk wanted to become a Patrol Deputy, and was granted the request in January of 2001. After completing the Western Maryland Police Training Academy, Buskirk worked on Patrol, and spend some time in the Community Deputy Program, serving in Williamsport.
DFC Arnold Cerezo began his Law Enforcement career with the Frederick Police Department in Frederick, MD as a crime lab technician. Cerezo was hired to attend the 41st Training Academy with the Frederick Police Department in 1998. After the Academy, Cerezo patrolled with Frederick for a time. DFC Cerezo decided to apply with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and was hired in late 2001. Since then, DFC Cerezo is an instructor for Defensive Tactics and operation of the Tazer.
We are proud of these five individuals for their hard work and dedication to the Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Washington County.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is proud to have five new Patrol Deputies. We welcome James Lobley, Jon Witmer, Tina McAllister, Ben Jones and Jason Litten.
The group graduated from the Western Maryland Police Academy in Hagerstown, MD in Late June and are currently in the Field Training Program.
Three Sheriff's Deputies were promoted to the rank of Deputy First Class (DFC) on Friday, February 5th, 2004.
The Sheriff's Office is proud to announce the promotion of Greg Woelfel, Dave Fortson and Ryan Shifflet. All three successfully completed the DFC Promotional Exam, offered to Deputies after 3 years Law Enforcement Experience.
Sheriff Mades announced the promotions immediately following Roll Call on Thursday morning. The Sheriff spoke a few words honoring each of the Deputies, thanking them for the great work they have done for the Department and for the Citizens of Washington County. Captain Douglas Mullendore was also on hand, and took the time to congratulate each Deputy individually. Sheriff Mades and Capt. Mullendore posed for a few photographs.
DFC Greg Woelfel began his career with the Washington County Sheriff's Office on 08/26/02. Prior to his hire, he served as Chief of the Taneytown MD Police Department.
DFC Dave Fortson started on January 1st, 2001. DFC Fortson served in the Washington County Detention Center as a Correctional Deputy for 2 years, until accepted for Patrol.
DFC Shifflet was first hired as a Police Communications Operator on 05/22/00. He was then accepted to attend the Western Maryland Police Training Academy in early 2001. DFC Shifflet was then offered a position in the Criminal Investigations Division in January of 2003.
We are proud to have these Deputies serve for our County, and proud to work along side each of them.
Deputy First Class James Holsinger received the 2003 Governor's Crime Prevention Award. The award showcases the excellence shown by various Crime Prevention Officers throughout the State of Maryland. DFC Holsinger shares this honor along with seven other Law Enforcement Officers throughout Maryland. This elite group of Officers teaches children, adults and seniors, about ways to reduce their opportunities to become victims of crimes.
DFC Holsinger has gone above and beyond the call of duty, sacrificing personal time for the Department. Though often unrecognized, Deputy Holsinger is credited with numerous awards for various achievements throughout his career. Just a few of these awards are:
We are very proud to have Jim Holsinger as a part of our family. He is responsible for many of the awards that are given to the Department as a whole. Many people throughout the county rely on DFC Holsinger's advice for home security, fraud prevention and for teaching their children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
07/30/03
The Washington County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division would like to welcome onto the force our 8 Academy graduates. The Deputy Recruits graduated from the Western Maryland Police Training Academy in Hagerstown on July 21st.
The recruits will now undergo 16 weeks of Field Training in which they ride with a specially trained, senior Deputy. These 16 weeks feel like a lifetime to the recruits, but go by quickly. The Field Training program begins with the recruit mostly observing the operations of the Field Training Officer (FTO).
As time goes on, the recruit takes on more responsibilities (begins writing reports and issuing citations, etc.). By the end of the program, the FTO 'shadows' the recruit, wearing civilian clothes and allowing the recruit to do most of the work. The FTO is available to assist the recruit with advise, answering questions or anything else the recruit may need. When the recruit finally completes the Field Training Program, he or she will be handed the keys to a police cruiser and sent to many calls for service.
We welcome Tara Bender, Matthew Bragunier, Todd Crowder, John Molineaux, Aaron Semler, Craig Sipes, James Sword, and Carl Witmer.
5-9-03
On May 9, 2003, the Hagerstown Community College held its annual Public Safety Award ceremony honoring the following Sheriff’s Office employees:
5-14-03
On May 14, 2003, the Optimists honored Washington County Sheriff's Office Deputy Arnold B. Cerezo II, who supervisors described as "a machine".
Police supervisors had nice things to say Wednesday about Deputy Cerezo who was one of four local officers chosen for the Optimist Club of Hagerstown Maryland Inc.'s annual Respect for Law Week awards.
The Hagerstown chapter is part of Optimist International, a service organization that sponsors events for children. Each May, the police awards are part of a campaign to "inspire respect for the law among ... local young people," according to the organization's Web site.
"This is a small token to each officer as they put their lives in jeopardy each and every day," the program for Wednesday's awards banquet at Elks Lodge No. 378 on Robinwood Drive said. Hagerstown chapter President David Borggren said the awards banquet is one of the club's best events.
Cerezo started with the Washington County Sheriff's Department 18 months ago. "It is estimated that Deputy Cerezo made approximately 500 citizens traffic contacts and 100 citizen complaint contacts last year ..." Sheriff Charles Mades wrote in a nomination letter. "While working his tour of duty, Deputy Cerezo is a 'machine' and constantly keeps busy throughout his shift ...."
"Although small in stature, he walks tall among his peers," Patrol Commander Lt. Randy Wilkinson joked at the banquet.
Chapter Vice President Tammy Hoffman read aloud a piece she liked about what a police officer must be, including diplomat, social worker, tough guy and gentleman. "And a genius," she said, "to feed a family on a policeman's salary."
The members of the Sheriff's Office are proud of these employees and extend our congratulations to each one of them.
Contact Information
| Patrol Assistance | 301-791-3020 |
| Sheriff's Office Main Number | 240-313-2100 |
| Patrol Division Fax | 240-313-2197 |
| Judicial Division | 240-313-2530 |
| Judicial Division Fax | 240-313-2531 |
| Administration Fax | 240-313-2105 |
| Detention Center Fax | 240-313-2152 |