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November 9, 2005
ODNR HONORS 29 LOCAL COMMUNITY MARINE PATROL UNITS
 COLUMBUS, OH Rocky River Police Department officers Joseph Boncek and Michael Bernhardt were joined by 29 local marine law enforcement agencies from across Ohio who were recognized recently by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft for exceptional public service to Ohio boaters during 2005.
Boncek and Bernhardt each received a special Individual Award for saving the life of a Lake Erie boater who had fallen off his boat approximately two miles offshore from Rocky River during rough conditions earlier this year.
The Rocky River Police Marine Patrol in Cuyahoga County was joined by marine patrol units from Five Rivers Metro Parks near Dayton, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office and Toledo Police Department in receiving ODNR’s Marine Patrol Service Award.
The Outstanding Marine Law Enforcement Agency Award was presented to the Sandusky Police Department and Summit County Sheriff’s Office marine patrol units.
Recognition Award recipients this year included:
- Butler County Sheriff’s Office
- Geauga Park District
- Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
- Henry County Sheriff’s Office
- Huron Police Harbor Unit
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office
- Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office
- Lorain Port Authority
- Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office
- City of Mansfield, Clear Fork Lake
- Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
- ODNR Division of Parks & Recreation
- Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office
- Perrysburg Township Police Marine Patrol
- Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office
- Port Clinton Harbor Patrol
- Portage County Sheriff’s Office
- Put-In-Bay Police Department
- Ross County Sheriff’s Office
- Scioto County Sheriff’s Office
- Springfield Township Marine Patrol
- Vermilion Police Department
Earlier this year, the ODNR Division of Watercraft awarded more than $540,000 in Marine Patrol Assistance grants to assist local agencies with their boating safety and enforcement efforts. The Marine Patrol Assistance Grant program is funded through the Waterways Safety Fund, which is comprised of a portion of the state motor fuels tax, boat registration and titling fees and a grant from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Photo: Director Sam Speck, Officer Boncek, Officer Bernhardt and Watercraft Acting Chief Mike Quinn
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