Blue Ash Police Officers awarded for outstanding work

(December 6, 2019 – Blue Ash)

Several Blue Ash Police Officers are being recognized for outstanding work in the line of duty.

Blue Ash Police Chief Scott Noel has awarded Meritorious Police Service Commendations for Excellent Police Work to Sgt. Todd Stewart and K9 Cash, Community Impact Unit Police Officer Beth Roach, and Community Impact Unit Police Officer Brendan McKinney.

This rare recognition is the result of a traffic stop on September 25, 2019, which lead to one of the largest methamphetamine drug busts in the City of Blue Ash. (See attached 120519 police Commendations for Excellent Police Duty)

“This investigation serves as an excellent example of officers working together as a team and leaving no stone unturned when it comes to criminal patrol efforts and drug interdiction. These officers are to be commended for their outstanding efforts and commitment to removing drugs from our community,” said Chief Noel in a statement.

The officers will receive a commendation pin (pictured below) that they will wear on their uniforms.

Commendation pin police work red white blue stripes 

Receiving the Meritorious Police Service Commendation for Community Service are Community Impact Unit Police Officer Brendan McKinney, Community Impact Unit Police Officer Beth Roach, Community Impact Unit Police Officer Erik Nelson, Community Impact Unit Police Officer Dustin Moore, Community Impact Unit Police Officer Chady Chahine, Det. Jeff Lewis, Det. Mark Niehaus, and Det. Dane Baumgartner.

This special recognition is the result of a joint undercover operation involving hundreds of hours of work and resulted in 14 suspects being charged in connection with prostitution and human trafficking at massage parlors. (See attached 120519 Commendation for Community Service)

“Their commitment and devotion to our community's request to stop this criminal activity and while assisting the victims of these crimes demonstrates an act of community service that is worthy of the Meritorious Commendation for Community Service,” said Chief Noel.

The officers will receive a commendation pin (pictured below) to wear on their uniforms. 

commendation pin community service red and blue stripes


Chief Noel is also awarding Commendations to Detective Mark Niehaus, Detective Dane Baumgartner, Detective Jeff Lewis, Community Impact Unit Police Officer Beth Roach, and Community Impact Unit Police Officer Brendan McKinney.

Their outstanding work lead to a confession and arrest within 48 hours of an October 26, 2019, workplace shooting. (See attached 120519 Police Commendations)

“These officers worked together as a highly efficient team in order to bring justice to the victims and keep the citizens of Blue Ash safe,” Chief Noel said in a statement, “the professionalism and hard work should be commended.”

(UPDATE: January 20, 2020)

Blue Ash Police Officers Stewart, Nelson, and Lewis received additional recognition for their job performance from the Ohio House of Representatives, under the sponsorship of  State Representative Jessica Miranda.    The certificates (pictured below) arrived this week. 

Certificates of commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives