Austintown adds 3 to township force

By Elise Franco | April 26, 2011 at 12:03a.m.

AUSTINTOWN

Three young men joined Austintown’s finest Monday, swearing in front of their friends, family and the township administration to protect and serve.

Gregory McGlynn and Joshua Watkins, both of Austintown, and Ryan Reese of Canfield were sworn in during Monday’s township trustees meeting as the police department’s newest auxiliary officers.

Police Chief Bob Gavalier said the three new auxiliaries bring the reserve unit’s total to four. Gavalier said eventually he would like to build the unit back up to 10 officers.

Auxiliary officers in Austintown work on a volunteer basis and must complete 32 hours of service each month with the department, the chief said.

“It took about six months to get these guys through,” he said. “There are a lot of benefits to this ... we’re hoping when other officers retire, these guys can plug right in.”

All three trustees welcomed Watkins, Reese and McGlynn, congratulating them for their hard work throughout the application and testing process.

“You’re now a part of a highly respected and professional department in this community,” said Trustee Lisa Oles.

Trustee David Ditzler said the three are selflessly putting themselves in potential danger while on the job for the protection of the township.

“We know every day you come to work for our community, you put your lives on the line,” he said.

Rick Alli, president of the Youngstown Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 28, also attended the meeting.

Alli, who is a part of the Fallen Officers Memorial Fund, said he’s organized the “Forever on Patrol Bike Run,” which starts at 10 a.m. June 12 at the Ice House Inn in Austintown.

The memorial fund was created eight years ago after the 2003 shooting death of Youngstown Patrolman Michael Hartzell, but Alli said he wants to expand the fund to include all Mahoning County officers who have died in the line of duty.

Since 1891, 24 officers in Mahoning County have been killed while on the job, Alli said.

“The whole idea is to keep the memories alive of these guys who laid their lives down for their communities,” he said.

The bike run at the Ice House will be the first of five fundraising bike runs over the next five years, Alli said.