For Immediate Release

United States Marshal

Peter J. Elliott

(216) 522-4482

Summit County Sheriff's Deputy Named Task Force Officer of the Year

Akron, Ohio – U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott announces the recipient of the 2008 Wayne Leon Task Force Officer of the Year Award for the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.  This year’s award will be presented to Deputy Sheriff Mark McElroy of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.  Deputy McElroy was selected as the winner of this prestigious award based upon his investigative efforts with the Akron Division of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.  Deputy McElroy has spent the past 17 years as a law enforcement officer assigned to many different units with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.  He has performed professionally in every capacity beginning with his days on patrol and leading up to his current status as the liaison between the Summit County Drug Unit and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.  Deputy McElroy has been part of the Task Force for the past 3 years and has proven to be a true asset with his knowledge and ability of fugitive apprehension.
           

In addition to this award presentation, three other Task Force Officers will also be recognized as nominees for the 2008 Wayne Leon Task Force Officer of the Year Award.  The other nominees being recognized are Detective James Harris of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Officer Robert Giovanni of the Youngstown Police Department and Detective Miguel Baez of the Lorain Police Department.  All have done an outstanding job on the task force and are well deserved of this recognition. 

This award was created by the U.S. Marshals Service in the memory of slain Cleveland Police Officer Wayne Leon.  Officer Leon was shot and killed during a traffic stop in June of 2000 by a wanted fugitive on Cleveland’s east side.  The memory of his death served as the inspiration and the driving force behind the creation of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in 2003.  The award is presented annually to a Task Force Officer who goes above and beyond the call of duty as a law enforcement officer.  The award will be presented by Officer Leon’s surviving wife, Grace Leon, on March 26, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. at the Ocasek Building located at 161 S. High St., Akron, Ohio 44308.

Summit County Sheriff Drew Alexander states, “Deputy McElroy has honored our department with his professional work ethic and diligence to duty.  I congratulate Deputy McElroy on this fine achievement and for his continuing efforts to bring these violent fugitives to justice.”

U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott states, “This award is the highest recognition for our Task Force Officers.  Deputy McElroy has been a tremendous asset to this task force and to the citizens of Summit County.  His dedication and professionalism is an honor to the name of Officer Wayne Leon and this achievement is well deserved.”