State trooper awarded for stopping attack

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Trooper Jason Bonar of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Southington Post has received an award for valor.

Bonar received the Distinguished Law Enforcement Valor Award at the Ohio Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Conference last week.

“While we honor all the sacrifices law enforcement makes every single day to help protect Ohio families, the awards today recognize individual officers and task forces who bravely serve the citizens of Ohio and have provided distinguished service to their communities and departments,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

Bonar was recognized for his efforts in stopping an attack on a 66-year-old Trumbull County woman Oct. 20, 2010. He was riding his motorcycle off duty when he saw a bicycle in the roadway.

Within seconds, a woman ran from the field with her pants down and helmet askew, yelling that a man had attempted to rape her.

When the man got in a car parked in an adjacent driveway, Bonar blocked the vehicle with his motorcycle.

As he approached, the man sped off, striking Bonar with his vehicle.

Bonar called 911 and stayed with the woman until other responders arrived to transport her to a local hospital.

Bonar since has been promoted to the rank of sergeant.