MAHONING VALLEY Police association presents awards to 11

The recipients were nominated by their department heads or peers.
NILES -- Ten law enforcement officers and an employee have been honored by the Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Police Association.
The awards were presented Wednesday at the association's annual luncheon in Alberini's Restaurant, attended by nearly 70.
The recipients were nominated by department heads or their peers in a variety of categories. The MVCOP Awards Committee made the final selection.
Committee members were John Lichetefeld of the FBI, Lt. Brian Girts of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Canfield police Chief David Blystone.
List of honorees
This year's recipients are:
UCommunity policing: Sgt. Ken Goist, New Middletown Police Department; Russell G. Ruethe, Elkton Federal Correctional Institute; Patrol Officer Rick Hanley, Poland Township Police Department; Patrol Officer Kim Kotheimer, Boardman Police Department.
UInvestigative excellence: Detective Jeffrey Hoolihan, Warren Police Department; and Detective Sgt. Michael Lambert, Patrol Officer Robert Patton and Patrol Officer Joseph Rolla, Youngstown Police Department.
UAdministrative excellence: Boardman Chief Jeff Patterson.
UDistinguished service: Lt. Mark Durkin, Austintown Police Department; Sgt. Andrew Bodzak, Canfield Police Department.
Beaver Township Chief Carl Frost, association president, cited the press for its reporting of law enforcement activities.
The association was formed in 1983 to serve the professional interests of law enforcement officers in the area and to promote the goals of professionalism.
It represents 41 local agencies and 14 state and federal agencies.