MADD thanks officers who cite drunken drivers

KALIDA - While Tim Hansen ate dinner Monday night, he estimated two children had died in the United States as the result of a drunken driver.

Hansen was the guest speaker during the Allen-Putnam Top Cop Banquet hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. More than 70 officers and MADD representatives were in attendance at Dick's Steak House in Kalida.

Hansen's son, Ross, was killed in a one-vehicle drunken driving accident in 2004. Since then Hansen has spoken in schools and has created a video to warn high school students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Hansen told the officers he appreciated what they do. "I'm honored to be in your presence," Hansen said as the officers gave him a standing ovation following his presentation.

"This did not happen for a reason," Hansen said when speaking of his son's death. "It happened because my son made a bad decision. It wasn't meant to be."

Andrea Rehkamp, executive director of Ohio Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said more than 17,000 people are killed and more than half a million injured each year as the result of drunken drivers.

"Believe me, it's a crime," she said.

"We recognize what you do because fewer people die as the result of what you do," Rehkamp told the officers.

The banquet is held annually to recognize Allen and Putnam County officers who have made the drunken driving arrests for their departments.

Twenty-six Allen and Putnam County officers were presented plaques for making the most drunken-driving arrests for their departments. They are Eric Pugh and Roy Brock, Allen County Sheriff's Office; Ryan Burkholder and Lonny Kent, Bluffton Police Department; Greg Foust and Kyle Fittro, Delphos Police Department; Joshua Snyder, Elida Police Department; Mark Fields and Robert Bender, Fort Shawnee Police Department; Jason Pottage and Joe Quintero, Leipsic Police Department and Curtis L. Hale and Michael Carman, Lima Police Department.

Also honored were Raymond Glaze, Marion Township Police Department; Mike Kissinger and Timothy Grigsby, Ohio State Highway Patrol; Jason Kottenbrock, Jim Gulker and Josh Strick, Ottawa Police Department; Eric Rayle, Pandora Police Department; Rick Edwards and Jason Snyder, Perry Township Police Department; Randy Weller and Brian Siefker, Putnam County Sheriff's Office; and Robert A. Kohli and Larry Curl, Shawnee Township Police Department.