Fairfield County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Bureau
345 Lincoln Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
P: 740-652-7301
The Patrol Bureau Deputies are assigned to one of three shifts and are primary responders to calls for services. The Patrol Bureau is the anchor of the Sheriff’s Office and is composed of the majority of all sworn personnel. A few of the functions of the Patrol Bureau include the investigation of criminal offenses, crime prevention, traffic enforcement, and service of civil process.
Lieutenant Hodder has been a member of the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office since April 2002. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2009 where he served in the Enforcement and Correction Bureaus.
In 2017 he was promoted to Lieutenant and has served as the Corrections Bureau Commander.
Hodder has worked in various positions during his employment such as a Training Officer, Correctional Academy Instructor and Correctional Academy Commander. He has been an OPOTA certified instructor since 2013 in various topics such as Subject Control Techniques, Community Diversity & Procedural Justice, Inmate Rights and Civil Liability, and Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention to name a few.
Lieutenant Hodder is a resident of Fairfield County where he resides with his wife and family.
Canal Winchester Substation
The Canal Winchester substation was turned over to the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office in March, 2003 by the City of Canal Winchester after the contract for police services was awarded to the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office. It is located at 10 N. High Street in downtown Canal Winchester. There are 10 Deputies plus 1 Sergeant who operate from that substation.
Violet Township Substation
The Violet Township substation was opened in May, 2002. Its location is 4 E. Columbus Street in “old” Pickerington. The Violet Township Board of Trustees owns the building; however it is donated to the Sheriff's Office to be used to better serve its citizens in the northern part of Fairfield County. There are 10 Deputies and 1 Sergeant who operate from that substation.
SPECIALIZED PATROL UNITS
Deputy Gary Hummel is assigned the duties of enforcing litter violations within Fairfield County. Deputy Hummel's activities are financed through a grant with Coshocton, Licking, Fairfield and Perry (CLFP) Solid Waste District. For litter complaints or concerns, Deputy Hummel can be reached by contacting the Sheriff's Office Communications at 740-652-7900.
Deputy Robert Mead is responsible for enforcing weight restrictions involving trucks and other vehicles traveling the roadways of Fairfield County. Deputy Mead takes enforcement action on state, county and township roadways. For concerns regarding load limits and restrictions, Deputy Mead can be reached at 740-652-7900.
Deputy Shaun Meloy is The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit was implemented in the 1980s and has been a major asset for the Sheriff's Office. The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office has one of the oldest units in the State of Ohio. The Sheriff's Office currently maintains one multi-purpose dog. Their uses include apprehending suspects, tracking suspects and lost individuals, building searches and the detection of illegal narcotics. The canine of choice for the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office is the Belgian Malinios and they are imported from the Netherlands. The dogs received ten weeks of training at Wachtmeister Canine in Dublin, Ohio. The dogs and handlers are nationally certified.
PATROL BUREAU PHONE DIRECTORY
To contact the Patrol Bureau call 740-652-7900 or 614-322-5250
Fax Numbers
Main Patrol Bureau Fax 740-681-5557
Canal Winchester Patrol Fax 614-834-5107
Violet Twp. Patrol Fax 614-920-4559
Winter Driving Tips
The potential for a snowy and icy winter is quickly approaching. The following are a few winter driving tips that may make your traveling or commute to work much easier and safer:
- Try to leave early: Expect any trip to take twice as long as normal
- Plan your route: Try to avoid steep hills, upgrades and lightly traveled roadways where snowdrifts may have developed.
- Stop gradually: Pump your brakes rather than using direct pressure. Also use your transmission to slow your vehicle.
- Stay off roads when traveler’s warnings are issued: When law enforcement issues a winter storm alert they mean business. If you are at work when a storm hits, making roads impassable, stay where you are.
- Maintain your car before snow starts to fly.
- Remember, “Black Ice” is a thin layer of transparent ice not always visible on the roadway but is very slippery.
Crime Prevention Tips
It's important to watch over your home and property. Thieves love opportunities as much as everyone else. Try to follow the following safety tips to help keep you safe.
If You are Shopping:
Criminals sometime pose as couriers delivering gifts. And it’s not uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others generosity, by going door-to-door for charitable donations when there’s no charity involved. Be sure to ask for identification, and find out how the funds will be used.
If You are Out for the Evening:
• Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks and sounds like someone is home
• Don’t display expensive or unusual objects where they can be seen from the outside
If You are Traveling
- Get an automatic timer for your lights
- Contact the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office for a vacation check
- Have mail and newspapers stopped
What's New in the Patrol Bureau
B.A.C. Data Master: Sheriff Phalen approved the purchase of a B.A.C. machine to assist Patrol Deputies in D.U.I. investigations. Before and since the purchase of the instrument, several Patrol Deputies have been trained and certified as “Master Operators.” Due to the rising rates of D.U.I. crashes and arrests, the purchase of the machine has been a great asset for the Sheriff’s Office. No longer do Fairfield County Patrol Deputies have to rely on the availability of other agencies. The B.A.C machine is located in the jail.
A.D.A.P.: In addition to purchasing the B.A.C. machine, almost all Patrol Deputies have been trained in Advanced Detection and Prosecution of O.M.V.I. offenders.
Summons: Chief Deputy Jerry Perrigo spearheaded a new program for law enforcement agencies within Fairfield County. The idea was developed to implement the usage of summons in lieu of arrest. Individuals committing some minor criminal offenses may be released with the issuance of a summons. This new procedure allows deputies to spend more time patrolling the streets and less time transporting prisoners to jail.
Mobile Data Terminals
The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office began utilizing Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) in September of 2007. The MDT allows the Patrol Deputy to see and receive information about active calls for service that are received in the dispatch center, mapping of Fairfield County and access to LEADs/NCIC database for license plate and driver information. The Patrol Deputies can be silently dispatched to calls when necessary. The Patrol Deputies have the ability to instant message other officers using the MDT and dispatching staff to exchange vital information.