Holmes County Sheriffs Office

08/28/2026

We are incredibly proud to announce that Deputy Strausbaugh and Deputy Bower have been named the 2026 Wayne Holmes CIT Professionals of the Year by NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties! This recognition highlights their dedication to serving our community with compassion, patience, and specialized skill.

What is CIT?
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a community-based approach designed to improve the outcomes of encounters between law enforcement and individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Through intensive, specialized training, our deputies learn how to better recognize the signs of mental illness, utilize de-escalation techniques, and respond to emergencies with increased empathy and understanding.

Why is it so important?
CIT training is vital to modern policing because it prioritizes safety for everyone involved. By utilizing these specialized skills, our deputies can:
Resolve crises peacefully through de-escalation rather than force.
Connect individuals in need with appropriate mental health services and community resources, rather than just the justice system.
Build stronger, more trusting relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Congratulations, Deputy Strausbaugh and Deputy Bower, on this well-deserved honor! Thank you for your continued commitment to our residents and for setting the standard for compassionate, professional policing in Holmes County.

08/28/2026

Mental health is a critical component of public safety. At the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, we are committed to ensuring our team is equipped with the knowledge and resources to effectively support those in our care.

Recently, our Jail Therapist, Kim Cool, helped instruct mental and behavioral health training for correctional officers from both Wayne and Holmes County Jails as part of the NAMI CIT program.

We are proud to have dedicated professionals on our team who prioritize these efforts. A huge thank you to the officers who participated, the presenters for their expertise, and NAMI for organizing this impactful training!

Our Holmes County Jail Therapist, Kim Cool, and Compliance Officer, Megan Solsman-Tomayko, had the opportunity Tuesday to provide training to correctional officers within the Wayne and Holmes County Jails on mental and behavioral health at the CIT training through NAMI. 💙

The training also reviewed behavioral health resources available both within the jail and throughout the community. We're proud to have a Holmes County Jail Therapist on our team who can provide behavioral health support to individuals while they are incarcerated. We also then help individuals prepare for and navigate the transition back into the community. 🏘️

Thank you to the officers who participated, the presenters for their expertise and time, and NAMI for organizing this impactful training! 👏🏻

08/25/2026

Welcome back to school, students and staff! As the new academic year begins here in Holmes County, we are excited to have our School Resource Officers back on campus.

We are proud to welcome back Deputy Myers at West Holmes and Deputy Bernhart at East Holmes.

Our SROs are dedicated to more than just safety. Their presence is a commitment to keeping our schools secure while fostering positive, lasting relationships between law enforcement and our students.

We look forward to a safe, productive, and successful year for everyone. Let’s make it a great one!

08/17/2026

Holmes County Sheriff's Office Participating in "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Campaign

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Ohio in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" enforcement campaign from August 14 through September 7, 2026, aimed at reducing impaired driving and keeping roadways safe during the Labor Day travel period.

The Sheriff's Office has been awarded 63 hours of High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement grant funding to support increased patrols and targeted enforcement efforts focused on impaired drivers.
Our goal is to provide motorists with the information and resources needed to make safe and responsible decisions before getting behind the wheel. By combining education, enforcement, and community partnerships, we can help prevent impaired driving crashes and keep Holmes County roads safe for everyone.

In 2025, the Labor Day reporting period saw 27 people killed in 23 crashes in Ohio – a 35% increase from the previous year. Among those fatal crashes, 15 were OVI-related – resulting in 17 deaths. Together, these three counties accounted for 30% of OVI-related crashes during that time.

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office reminds residents and visitors to plan ahead when alcohol or other impairing substances are involved. Designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service, call a taxi, or arrange safe transportation before heading out.
Impaired driving is completely preventable. Make responsible choices and help ensure everyone arrives home safely.

Serving and Protecting Holmes County Through Professionalism, Integrity, and Community Partnership.

07/30/2026

Traffic Advisory:

Attention Killbuck Residents starting this Monday August 3-August 17 the square in town at Main and Front Street will be closed for road construction. Please use an alternate route!!

07/29/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 NAMI Wayne-Holmes Counties CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) Officers of the Year!

Deputy Justin Bower and Deputy Naomi Strausbaugh have been recognized for their outstanding dedication, compassion, and skill in crisis intervention.

During a particularly challenging call involving an individual with limited communication abilities, both deputies demonstrated exceptional patience, professionalism, and empathy. Their CIT training was evident throughout the encounter, as they took the time necessary to build rapport, listen, and ultimately help the individual communicate. Their willingness to remain patient and allow the person the time needed to respond went above and beyond what is typically expected during a call for service.

Their actions exemplify the core principles of the CIT program, which brings together law enforcement and mental health resources to provide safer, more compassionate responses to individuals experiencing a crisis.

The CIT Officer of the Year Award recognizes officers who consistently go above and beyond to safely de-escalate high-stress situations, connect vulnerable individuals with vital community resources, and uphold the highest standards of crisis intervention.

Congratulations, Deputy Bower and Deputy Strausbaugh, on this well-deserved recognition!

07/27/2026

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office would like to recognize the outstanding work and dedication of our deputies and detectives who continue to investigate theft-related offenses, recover stolen property, and hold offenders accountable.

Over the past several weeks and months, deputies and detectives have successfully recovered a wide variety of stolen property through multiple independent investigations, including:

• A stolen calf
• A stolen Dachshund puppy
• An Arctic Cat UTV
• A Polaris UTV
• Milwaukee tool batteries
• Antique pocket watches and coins
• Copper wire

While each of these cases involved separate incidents, they all share a common theme: the persistence, professionalism, and commitment of our deputies and detectives to follow every lead and work tirelessly on behalf of crime victims. In each case, the suspects were from outside Holmes County.

These successful investigations have resulted in the recovery of property valued at nearly $150,000, helping return valuable possessions to their rightful owners and reducing the impact of crime on victims throughout our community.

We are grateful for the tips, information, and cooperation provided by citizens who help us solve crimes and return stolen property to its rightful owners.

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office remains committed to protecting our residents and holding offenders accountable. If you have information regarding a crime or suspicious activity, please contact the Holmes County Sheriff's Office.

07/11/2026

Yesterday we honored the life of a fellow officer taken from us way too soon. Sergeant Scott Ries your life, your commitment to service and your memory will live with us now and forever more.

We continue to offer our sympathies and prayers to a hurting family, the Rittman Police Department, the Wayne County Sheriffs Office, the citizens of Rittman and the entire community who continues to grieve this loss.