Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick leads a prayer Monday among local law enforcement to commemorate National Police Week. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — The sacrifice of those who protect and serve their communities was honored this week during National Police Week.

National Police Week, which is being held this year on May 11-17, is “a time of reflection, gratitude and unity,” said Det. RS Black of the Vienna Police Department, President of the FOP Lodge 79.

“It is a time when we recognize the commitment of the men and women in law enforcement, those who serve not for praise, but out of a profound sense of duty for their communities,” he said, adding for many being a police officer is more than a job, it is a calling.

Wood County is protected by the dedicated professionals of the Parkersburg Police Department, the Vienna Police Department, the Williamstown Police Department, the Wood County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police, he said.

“These agencies are made up of individuals who wake up every day, put on their uniform and head into the unknown, fully aware of the risk yet steadfast in their resolve,” Black said. “Our officers take on the immense responsibility of protecting our families, our neighborhoods and our way of life.

Local officers walk the Fraternal Order of Police Post 79 ceremonial wreath to place at the Public Safety Memorial at the Parkersburg Municipal Building during a National Police Week observance Monday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“They don’t know what each shift will bring. It may be a quiet patrol or a call that can change everything.”

Secretary of State Kris Warner was present Monday at the ceremony and helped place the Fraternal Order of Police Post 79 ceremonial wreath at the Public Safety Memorial at the Parkersburg Municipal Building, followed by an awards ceremony at the Wood County Resiliency Center.

Warner, in his remarks, talked about how the U.S. military protects America from external threats while law enforcement protects people every day and allows American society to thrive.

“The rule of law is a central theme in western civilization,” Warner said. “The idea that we must live together and interact as equals before the law.”

It is the police who make sure that law prevails and who maintain the peace. Sometimes, in doing that, they tragically perish.

Det. RS Black of the Vienna Police Department, President of the FOP Lodge 79, and West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner lay the FOP Lodge 79 ceremonial wreath at the Public Safety Memorial at the Parkersburg Municipal Building during the National Police Week observation on Monday followed by an awards ceremony at the Wood County Resiliency Center. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“The legacy they leave is our continued way of life,” Warner said.

Members of local law enforcement were honored for their work.

Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board awarded a number of citations to officers who went the extra distance in serving the public.

Ptl. Matthew W. Eichhorn II was honored for his part in apprehending a suspect who had opened fired on officers on Aug. 28, 2021, during a standoff on Buckeye Street.

Ptl. Chase M. Mathess and Ptl Spencer T. Wiley were honored for their actions in rescuing a man in the Ohio River on July 28, 2024, having to go to the Belpre side of the river and pulling him to safety.

Det. RS Black of the Vienna Police Department, President of the FOP Lodge 79, Officer of the Year recipient Officer Dyllan Caplinger and West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner at a ceremony Monday to commemorate local officers in conducting their duties. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Ptl. Chase M. Mathess, Ptl. Justin E. Ozanick and Ptl. Cole N. Plants were honored for their response to a fire on Elder Street on Jan. 3, 2025, and used items they had on hand to gain entry to the structure to save a child inside.

Ptl. Shane D. Suttles was honored for helping a child at a residence who was choking on some food. Suttles was originally there to serve paperwork for an adult and a young child asked him to help a sibling who was choking and immediately helped the child.

“(Suttles) was there serving papers but a child trusted a police officer enough to ask for help to help a sibling who was choking on a piece of pizza,” Board said. “He breaks from what he was doing which was serving unsavory paperwork for an adult and became a lifesaver for a child.”

Board said this kind of action may not be as exciting or as dynamic as having an incident involving flashbangs, shootouts or high speed pursuits, but they matter to the people involved when a police officer is able to help someone.

“A successful police officer will have both a soft hand and a heavy hand, because you need both,” Board said. “I think these awards show our people have both. These guys make me proud every day.”

West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner speaks during an awards ceremony commemorating National Police Week. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

The Charles L. Plum Memorial Award for Wood County’s police officer of the year was awarded to Officer Dyllan Caplinger of the Parkersburg Police Department.

Caplinger showed dedication, leadership and deep commitment to public service, Black said, adding he is also a field training officer helping prepare new officers in what it takes to do the job. He has taken on overtime details, attending specialized training sessions and “leading by example.”

“In four short years with his department, he has distinguished himself as a leader among his peers, a reliable teammate and an officer the community can be proud of,” he said. “He doesn’t just work hard, he works smart.

“Through his mentorship he is helping shape the future of the Parkersburg Police Department.”

Other awards given out included the Distinguished Citizen of the Year presented to St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service, accepted by William Minear II and Jim Dennewitz.

“This is a group of individuals who are committed to saving the lives and touching countless families and strengthening the very fabric of our community,” Black said. “For over 50 years, St. Joseph’s Ambulance has been there when our community has needed them the most through emergencies and crisis when every second counted.”

Minear also received the Lifetime Achievement Award for a career “dedicated to the safety and service of others,” Black said, adding he has spent over 35 years impacting public safety, emergency services and security and continues that work as the Deputy Director of Critical Infrastructure Protection with the West Virginia National Guard Joint Interagency Training and Education System.

The FOP Lodge 79 Scholarships were awarded to Andrew and Matthew Stalnaker.

Black said he wants people to understand that policing is a passion.

“We wake up and go to work, not knowing what the outcome is going to be,” Black said. “The support of our community and families drives us to continue to develop that passion to ensure and stay committed to our community to make sure they are safe and taken care of.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com