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The Dulle Family: Abbie and Brian Dulle and children Jackson, Madelyn and Emma. Brian Dulle was killed in 2011 when he was struck by a fleeing vehicle as he threw down stop sticks at Utica Road and U.S. 42 in Turtlecreek Township. / Provided

Area law enforcement will gather today to dedicate a memorial to the first Warren County Sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty.

The 11 a.m. ceremony at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office marks the second anniversary of the death of Sgt. Brian Dulle. The 36-year-old married father of three small children was killed in 2011 when he was struck by a fleeing vehicle as he threw down stop sticks at Utica Road and U.S. 42 in Turtlecreek Township.

The driver, Marcus Isreal, 22, of Middletown, was found guilty later that year of eight charges including murder and was sentenced to 25 1/2 years to life in prison.

The Dulle memorial will be located alongside other memorials in front of the sheriff’s office at 550 Justice Dr., Lebanon.

State Rep. Ron Maag will dedicate the area of U.S. 42 between Lebanon and Waynesville – the area in which Dulle was killed – the “Sergeant Brian Dulle Memorial Highway.”

The ceremony is open to the public.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: Brian Dulle, dedication, deputy, fallen deputy, lebanon, marcus isreal, memorial, sergeant brian dulle memorial highway, turtlecreek township, warren county sheriff's office

Anthony Bowman Photo/Warren County Jail

When you gotta’ go, you gotta’ go — even if it is in the shoe department at a Meijer store.

That’s the situation Anthony Bowman, 38, of Deerfield Township, told police he found himself in when he wasn’t able to locate the restrooms in the Deerfield Township store.

Law enforcement officials weren’t so understanding — a Warren County grand jury Friday indicted Bowman on charges of public indecency, criminal damaging and possession of heroin.

The incident occurred on Feb. 22, when store loss prevention officials notified the Warren County Sheriff’s Office they observed a man urinating on shoe racks in the store.

When police confronted Bowman, he denied the incident occurring, but later admitted it after told it was captured on store security video, according to the police report.

Police say Bowman damaged seven boxes of shoes valued at around $450.

He faces up to 22 months in jail and a $6,000 fine if convicted of the charges.

Posted in: Crime, Deerfield Twp., News |

Tags: Tags: anthony bowman, crime, criminal damaging, deerfield township, meijer, public indecency, warren county, warren county sheriff's office

Area law enforcement will gather Friday to dedicate a memorial to the first Warren County Sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty.

The ceremony, which is set for 11 a.m. at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, marks the second anniversary of the death of Sgt. Brian Dulle.

The 36-year-old married father of three young children was killed in 2011 when he was struck by a fleeing vehicle as he deployed stop sticks at Utica Road and U.S. 42 in Turtlecreek Township.

The 22-year-old driver of the vehicle, Marcus Isreal of Middletown, was found guilty later that year of eight charges, including murder, and sentenced to 25½ years to life in prison

The Dulle memorial will be located alongside other memorials in front of the sheriff’s office at 550 Justice Drive, Lebanon.

State Rep. Ron Maag will dedicate the area of U.S. 42 between Lebanon and Waynesville — the area in which Dulle was killed — the Sergeant Brian Dulle Memorial Highway.

Dulle’s widow, Abbie, and their three children, are expected to attend.

The ceremony is open to the community. For more information, call the sheriff’s office at 513-695-1280.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: Brian Dulle, dedication, deputy, fallen deputy, lebanon, marcus isreal, memorial, sergeant brian dulle memorial highway, turtlecreek township, warren county sheriff's office

Paul McKibben reports:

Warren County Democrats aren’t happy about a pile of horse manure that was left outside the party headquarters at 1975 N. U.S. 42 in Turtlecreek Township north of Lebanon.

Chairwoman Bethe Goldenfield said the party has no idea who put it there. She said the manure was left between 10 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. Monday. A report was filed with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

The manure is no longer there. The party’s landlord arranged to have it cleaned up.

“We must be doing a pretty good job here because if somebody feels they have to lash out like that then we must be doing something good,” Goldenfield said.

Posted in: Election, News, Warren County |

Tags: Tags: bethe goldenfield, democratic headquarters, horse manure, warren county, warren county sheriff's office

The Enquirer:

Police are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy at a motel Saturday.

A press release from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office indicates the child was found unresponsive by his mother at 12:49 p.m. at the Mason Inn on Mason Montgomery Road, Deerfield Township.

Responding deputies performed CPR until medics arrived. The child was transported to Bethesda North Hospital in Montgomery, where he was pronounced dead.

Sgt. Brandon Lacy of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office said there was no obvious sign of trauma.

“We’re not currently investigating it as a homicide,” Lacy said “There is no reason to think there is any type of foul play at this point, but when something like this happens we want to make sure we hit every base.”

Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies have interviewed the mother and a male friend.

Lacy said the woman had been living at the motel for some time.

An autopsy was performed Sunday morning at the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, but the cause of death remains undetermined.

On Monday, the coroner’s office said it did not have toxicology reports yet, and Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies said it they no updated information.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, Sgt. Brandon Lacy, warren county sheriff's office

The Enquirer

State and Warren County authorities said last Friday they stopped a vehicle on Interstate 71 near the Warren-Clinton County line where five Columbus area residents were transporting heroin and OxyContin.

Authorities seized 1,050 80-milligram OxyContin pills and 400 doses of heroin from the vehicle. They said the occupants told them they were traveling from Florida to Columbus. The OxyContin would carry a street value of more than $100,000 in most jurisdictions, officials said. The street value of the heroin was estimated at $4,000 to $5,000.

Arrested on various felony drug charges were Ruth Colter, 42; Gerald Weber, 36; Keith Laney, 28; Derek Caldwell, 30 and Glenn Fetherston Jr., 51.

The arrests were announced Tuesday.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: crime, drugs, heroin, i-71, oxycontin, seized, warren county, warren county sheriff's office

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is seeking these three suspects in connection with a credit card theft that occurred at Kings Island on June 17, 2012. Photo/Crimestoppers

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating three suspects wanted for credit card theft.

Police say that on June 17 the three suspects stole credit cards from a guest at Kings Island’s Soak City water park. The cards were then used to purchase more than $2,000 of items at Wal-Mart stores in Deerfield Township and Florence.

The suspects include two white men and one white woman, all captured on store surveillance videos.

One male suspect is shown wearing khaki shorts, a green T-shirt and a black ball cap.

The other is pictured wearing black shorts, a blue T-shirt with the words “Kings Island” on the chest and a light-colored jacket with hood.

The woman appears wearing light-colored pants, a long-sleeve blue shirt and appears to have brown hair pulled back in a pony tail.

Those with information are asked to call Warren County Sheriff’s Detective Jerry Niffenegger at 513-701-1807 or Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040. All calls can be made anonymously and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: credit card, crimestoppers, kings island, soak city water park, theft, wal-mart, walmart, warren county sheriff's office

Despite raising her steer to be a prize-winner at the Warren County Fair, Lora Vonderhaar sold the cow to help the family of a sheriff killed while on duty. / The Enquirer/Tony Jones

Teenager Lora Vonderhaar has a charitable streak that is 6 feet long, weighs 1,200 pounds and sports hoofs.

Her Angus steer named “Rocky” was raised by the 15-year-old Kings High School as part of her local 4-H Club. But it’s what Lora did with the $4,000 earned from the steer’s sale that truly gives measure to her generosity.

She decided to donate the $4,000 to the family of Warren County Sheriff Sgt. Brian Dulle, who was killed by a fleeing suspect in May.

The high school sophomore was touched by the Dulle family’s plight and especially wanted to help the officer’s wife and three children, one of whom is battling cancer.

In May, Lora had joined her father and mother – all with American flags in their hands – at the roadside in front of their Union Township farm to honor Dulle as his funeral procession passed by.

• Photos: Sgt. Dulle’s funeral

It made an impression on her and months later when a family dinnertime conversation brought up the idea of charitable giving, Lora’s gift quickly took form.

“She jumped right on it,” recalls her father Fred Vonderhaar.

Lora recalled watching the funeral motorcade passing by.

“It was really sad and I really wanted to do something to support the family,” says the teen.

The $4,000, which she donated directly to the Warren County sheriff’s fund for Dulle’s family last month, would have otherwise gone into her family college savings. But she insisted on giving it all away.

Her father’s eyes well with emotion as he talks of it.

“What else could a dad ever want from a daughter?” says Vonderhaar.

Warren County Sheriff Larry Sims was also moved by Lora’s philanthropy when he met her during the donation ceremony.

“Just talking to her about this brought me to tears,” says Sims. “I saw a remarkable young lady that is not only thinking about others but actually taking steps to help them. While many teenagers would be thinking of ways to spend this on themselves or even putting it away for college, she decided to help a family that has suffered a great loss.”

Doug Mader, principal of Kings High School, says no one who knows Lora – a top academic performer and member of the school’s marching band – would be the least bit surprised.

“Lora is an outstanding young lady. She has a genuine heart and shows passion in everything she does in and out of school,” says Mader. “She carries herself as a person with a giving heart.”

And a modest one at that.

Reluctant to discuss her act, Lora stresses that she understands her family’s livestock business – she is now raising another steer for eventual sale – allows her opportunities to make charitable donations her peers can’t.

“I just thought it would be a good way to help out,” she says.

A memorial fund has been set up in the name of Sgt. Brian Dulle at any Fifth Third Bank.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: Brian Dulle, deputy, donation, doug mader, fred vonderhaar, killed, kings high school, larry sims, lora vonderhaar, marcus israel, Sgt. Brian Dulle, slain, sophomore, steer, warren county sheriff's office

Paul McKibben reports:

Warren County commissioners agreed Tuesday to give Deerfield Township approximately $600,000 for sheriff’s deputies, but township voters could still be asked to approve more money for law enforcement later.

Township Administrator Bill Becker said with carryovers and what the township has projected for next year, its police levy will keep law enforcement expenses in the black, but not beyond 2012.

“It will allow us to maintain (services) without drawing from the general fund for 2012,” he said.

But the township’s police levy is projected to have a deficit in 2013. Trustees could ask voters to approve more money for police either next year or in 2013. Adding 1 mill to the levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra $30.63 per year.

The township doesn’t have its own police department and instead contracts with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

• Deerfield Twp. needs more funds for deputies

The extra money from commissioners comes after officials agreed that the county wasn’t fulfilling a contract between the county and the township.

County Administrator Dave Gully notified township trustees in a December 2008 letter that commissioners decided they needed to start phasing out their subsidy of paying for six deputies for the township. The county was to eliminate funding for two deputies in 2009, two in 2010 and the last two this year.

However, a contract signed by county and township officials a month later stipulated the sheriff will provide at no additional cost to the township four full-time deputies.

Commissioner Pat South said the county has been following the December letter and not the January contract.

“I’m willing to live up to this contract,” she said. “I do think we need to open up conversation about the reality of (the) future and the fact that you are home-rule,” she said.

Becker said in 2010 the township paid for 23 deputies and the county paid for two but by contract the county should have funded four. He said this year the township is paying for 25, the county is paying zero and the county should have funded four deputies.

Becker said the county will pay the township the cost of four deputies this year (approximately $419,000). He said the county will pay for two deputies next year (about $187,000).

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: bill becker, dave young, deerfield township, deputies, levy, police, taxes, warren county, warren county sheriff's office

Paul McKibben reports:

Property owners in Warren County’s biggest township could be asked to pay higher taxes for sheriff’s deputies – or see the police force reduced.

Those are two of the choices Deerfield Township officials are considering. The township contracts with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office for police protection, and the contract expires Jan. 1.

The township is spending down the reserves in its police fund and is projected to have a shortfall in the fund by the end of 2012, according to a memo from township Administrator Bill Becker. Currently, the township spends approximately $3.1 million a year on the contract.

Voters last approved the police levy in 2004. It costs the owner of a $100,000 home $76.56 per year. Becker said a 1-mill increase would secure funding beyond 2018 and adequate coverage would remain intact for an additional $30.63 a year for a $100,000 home.

Becker outlined several options in the memo. Those are using general fund money to subsidize the police levy, cutting seven to eight positions, asking the county to pay for six deputies, increasing the police levy and a combination of the options.

Currently the township pays for all 25 deputies. If the county paid for six deputies, the police fund would likely remain solvent until 2017, according to Becker.

Warren County Commissioner Dave Young said if the residents chose an expanded level of service and voted in the levy, he’s not sure exactly why the county should be paying for deputies.

“The flip side of that is Deerfield is incredibly important to the county and I want to make sure that Deerfield is very well taken care of,” Young said.

Deerfield Township has 36,059 residents, according to the 2010 Census. It has more people than any other township, city or village in the county.

Becker said his best guess is the township “will feed the sheriff’s office through the general fund if need be to make it whole for 2012 and come up with a permanent solution beyond that.”

Becker said that would be either asking the voters for a levy increase or a service reduction that he doesn’t see as a viable option. He noted the township’s 25 deputies are extremely busy.

“So at some point I think it’s going to come down to going back to the voters and asking for a slight increase in the levy for the police,” he said.

The levy could go on the ballot next year or in 2013. Becker said he doesn’t expect a drastic reduction in service or deputies at this point. He said the township can’t continue using its general fund for police. The 2.5-mill levy generates approximately $2.5 million each year, with some funding from other sources.

The village of South Lebanon, a much smaller community than Deerfield Township, also contracts with the sheriff’s office for police protection. Officials are currently in negotiations as the contract expires Dec. 31, according to Village Administrator Bob Craig.

The village pays for four deputies and county commissioners fund one deputy, Craig said. The village doesn’t have a police levy. This year it is spending $439,641on salaries and benefits. That comes from the general fund.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: bill becker, dave young, deerfield township, deputies, levy, police, taxes, warren county, warren county sheriff's office