OSHP commander wins valor award

Eleven awards were presented at the luncheon.
YOUNGSTOWN -- An Ohio State Highway Patrol captain who used his fist to smash a car window and aid a trapped motorist has been recognized by his peers.
The Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Police Association had its annual awards luncheon Wednesday at Youngstown State University's Kilcawley Center. In all, 11 awards were given that ranged from valor to community policing.
Roughly 60 men and women attended the event.
Springfield Police Chief Matthew Mohn presented the awards after giving a brief synopsis of what each recipient did to earn recognition.
Mohn said Capt. James J. Holt, OSHP Warren District 4 commander, received the valor award for quick thinking and life-saving assistance.
What happened
In January, a North Lima woman was involved in a serious accident when her small sports car was hit from behind with such force that the rear window of her car flew forward and hit her head.
Holt, off duty at the time, heard the crash and approached the woman's car. He found her covered in blood and trying to get out and feared she would go into shock and injure herself more by moving around.
Holt found that the vehicle's doors were jammed shut from the crash and used his fist to break in. He climbed into the car and kept the woman warm and stabilized until an ambulance arrived.
At the hospital, the woman was diagnosed with having a swollen brain, whiplash and a cut to her head that required numerous staples to close. Holt's actions avoided more serious injury.
Other awards
Mohn presented investigative excellence awards to Capt. Jeffrey Palmer and Detective Greg Manente of the Girard Police Department. The chief said Palmer and Manente were responsible for the first gang indictment in Trumbull County.
In September 2006, Palmer and Manente investigated a number of burglaries and identified six juveniles who called themselves the Black Knights. The juveniles used identifying colors and clothing and recruited others. Participation in the gang required some type of initiation -- stealing, breaking into cars or homes.
The juveniles were responsible for breaking into Girard High School, the stadium locker room, numerous homes and cars. The investigation, which resulted in convictions, revealed that they had plans to escalate and were doing reconnaissance for more criminal activity.