HIRED, PROMOTED Mahoning County deputies

George L. Wallace Jr., 23, of Boardman. A 1997 graduate of Boardman High School; served four years in the Marine Corps; attended Youngstown State University Police Academy, obtaining his Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training certificate in December. He is married with a son.
David J. Yemma, 27, of Struthers. A 1994 graduate of Struthers High School; has attended criminal justice courses at YSU; attended the YSU Police Academy, obtaining his basic training certificate in December. Most recently worked as a sergeant for Corrections Corp. of America at the now closed Northeast Ohio Correctional Center. He has two sons.
Jamie A. Myers, 48, of Mentor. Spent 17 years with Lake County Sheriff's Department as a patrol officer and detective, and served as a member of the department's SWAT unit. He is a certified firearms instructor in all tactical weapons and most recently worked for the Ashtabula County Narcotics Unit as a special agent. He is married.
Jonathan B. Persing, 29, of New Middletown. A 1991 graduate of Springfield High School; served four years in the Army, receiving numerous awards and citations while serving in the Airborne; has specialized training as a sniper and armorer. Also has served two years in the Army Reserve and is finishing service after 31/2 years with the Ohio National Guard. Worked as an equipment operator with Persing Water Well Drilling before starting with the sheriff's department as an intermittent deputy Jan. 11. Completed his police academy training at Western Reserve Institute in Boardman in April. He is married with two children.
Brian H. Smith, 24, of Kinsman. A 1996 graduate of Pymatuning High School, Andover; attended YSU for a year before serving four years in the Marine Corps, receiving the Kosovo Campaign ribbon. Obtained his basic training certificate in May from YSU's police academy.
Anthony J. Kolesar, 25, of Boardman. A 1995 graduate of Boardman High School; received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from YSU in 2000; attended YSU's police training academy, receiving his police training certificate in December. He worked the last three years as a baker and assistant manager for Buttermaid Bakery.
Ann Peterson, 23, of Youngstown. A 1996 graduate of Chaney High School; attended YSU part-time; attended Western Reserve Institute, completing her basic police officer training in December. Before employment with the sheriff's department, she worked for Rite-Aid. She is married with two sons.
Those promoted are:
Sgt. John M. Beshara, hired full-time in April 1989, promoted to corporal in November 1993. He has extensive corrections, patrol and investigator training and experience and is currently assigned to the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force. He will receive his bachelor's degree from YSU this year.
Sgt. Michael A. Yurco, hired full-time in April 1989 with 11 years' prior service as a reserve deputy. Promoted to corporal in November 1993. Assigned as a midnight supervisor in the corrections division; has extensive state certifications and experience teaching police tactics for the sheriff's department and local academies.
Sgt. Dorothy "Candy" Guzzy, hired full-time in January 1985, promoted to corporal in November 1993. Has an associate degree in police science from YSU and specialized training from the FBI as a hostage negotiator. Has split her career between corrections and patrol operations as both a line officer and supervisor. Married to Sgt. Charles Guzzy of the Youngstown Police Department.
Sgt. John J. "Jack" Toth, hired in July 1985, promoted to corporal in November 1993. Obtained specialized training beginning in 1986 as a police firearms instructor and range master and is an instructor at the sheriff's department. Worked in corrections, patrol, training and the internal affairs unit before his current assignment heading up the volunteer deputy unit.
Source: Mahoning County Sheriff's Department