WARREN Township honors deputy

The township officers said they appreciated help from the Trumbull County Special Forces team.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Mike Davis was more confident facing a gunman than he was accepting the applause his actions drew.
Davis, 31, a deputy with the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department for six years, blushed when he was handed a plaque by Warren Township officials for his performance in the July 9 standoff.
"I'm very grateful," Davis said. "I just wish I could get back to work."
Davis, who still walks with a slight limp from a wound inflicted by the gunman, said he hopes to return to work in a few weeks.
Authorities say Jerry Harnar shot Davis in the leg in a three-hour standoff at Harnar's Parkman Road residence.
Assault reported: Warren Township police went to Harnar's home around 3:30 p.m. after his 85-year-old mother called to say her son had assaulted her.
When officers arrived, Harnar fired two shots, but no one was hurt.
"After our officers were shot at we called for help, and Mike Davis and the rest of the Trumbull County Special Forces Team showed up," Police Chief Thomas Rush said.
Several other departments also responded.
Police surrounded Harnar's home and tried to get him to surrender.
After about three hours, police decided to go into the home. Harnar fired and hit Davis in the leg.
Grateful for help: "Mike Davis was the first one in line," said township Lt. Don Bishop. "We wanted to give him this plaque for helping us."
Bishop and Rush also gave a plaque to the special forces team.
"We really appreciate their help and efforts," Rush said. "It's nice to know they are here for our county."
Maj. James Phillips, commander of the special forces team, said there are 15 members on the unit.
"We train once a month and we are here to help any Trumbull County agency that needs us," he said.
sinkovich@vindy.com