Welcome

My name is Daniel Harmon and I am a candidate to be your Sheriff of Hancock County.  I am the son of Bonnie and the late David Harmon.  My father, who I lost in May, was a retired electrical engineer from Cooper Tire.  My mother, Bonnie, was a nurse for over 40 years and retired from the Blanchard Valley Hospital.  She still lives in Arlington. I have been a resident of Hancock County for 40 years and I currently live in rural Arlington with my wife of 32 years, Kerri.  

We have been blessed with two wonderful children. Nathaniel is a Kenton Firefighter, and Bethanny is a teacher in Virginia where her husband, Dillon, is stationed in the Navy. We have two grandsons, Denny and Charlie that we love to spoil.  We have fun aggravating our daughter and son-in-law by buying things like drum kits, guitars and anything that makes noise.  I think I might be getting some revenge on my daughter for making noise when I worked midnights.

We attend Gateway Church and our faith in Jesus Christ is paramount in our lives. We are currently enrolled in membership classes, and we serve as greeters.  I have served on the security and medical teams for Gateway.  I recently obtained my certificate in Church Protection through Serving Protectors and will be returning to the security team.  Being a believer in the word of God has taught me to be a better police officer and has made me strive to be a better Christian.  I will make no apologies for my faith.

I have over 31 years of law enforcement experience in Hancock County.  I started at age 17 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.  I was sworn in at the Sheriff’s Office as a Special Deputy on the Dive Team under Sheriff Boutwell in 1990. I obtained my SCUBA diving certifications through SCUBA Schools International in open water, dry suit, navigation, deep diving, night/limited visibility, along with search and rescue. 

 In 1991, I started in the Justice Center as a Corrections Officer.  I performed the duties of a Corrections Officer where I obtained my State of Ohio Corrections Officer certification through the Ohio Peace Officer Academy.  While working full-time in Corrections, I obtained my Ohio Peace Officer Certification through Owen’s Community College.  I was also an assistant Law Enforcement Explorer Advisor with another Deputy and took over the role of Advisor when the other Deputy left the program.  When I was not working or training, I was volunteering as a Special Deputy in the law enforcement side of the office by patrolling with the road Deputies.

I was promoted to Sergeant in the Corrections Division where I was a shift supervisor.  This was my introduction to the role of leadership.  I obtained my Corrections Supervisor Certification through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.  During my time at the Sheriff’s Office, I also obtained my Basic Volunteer Firefighter Certification, Haz-mat Technician, and National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Certification for the Allen Township Fire Department, where I served for 10 years.

I took a position with the Findlay Police Department in June of 1997 as a Police Officer.  I served on multiple shifts and handled tens of thousands of calls that included incidents that were as simple as leaves on the roadway to homicides and fatal crashes.

I was chosen to be a Field Training Officer and trained multiple Officers over the years.  This was where I honed my skills as a leader and supervisor.  I took a vested interest in the success of my trainees with the understanding that not everyone was equipped to be in Law Enforcement.  My job was to train the Officers to policy and procedure.  I had to evaluate and document any deficiencies and strengths. At the end of the training, I would make recommendations for continued training, completion of the program, or separation from the agency.

I was certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association for bike patrol and I served on the Bike Patrol for several years until it was disbanded.  I was a member of the joint operations Dive Team that worked under the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office for several years until it was no longer in operation due to the death of our commander.

I was trained as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) member in 2001 and became the CIT coordinator for the Police Department in 2003.  I was awarded the State of Ohio CIT Coordinator of the Year award in 2013 and again in 2019. I was selected by a board that oversees all 88 counties.  I eventually took over the role of CIT Coordinator for Hancock County and still serve in that capacity today with a total of 23 years of experience and leadership in the Crisis Intervention Team community.   

I have proven leadership in this role.  I have  coordinated the training for all First Responders in Hancock County to receive training in CIT. I have helped several agencies to develop and update Policies and Procedures for responses to people experiencing a mental health crisis.  I also teach the de-escalation and Officer resiliency during a week-long training and have provided specialized training for communications officers in our community and other counties.  I have assisted in the development of CIT programs throughout Ohio and have trained other coordinators at the state level.

While working at the Police Department, I wanted to expand my education with Emergency Medical Services with the goal of being a tactical medic on the Emergency Response Team (SWAT Team). I was accepted into the Medial College of Ohio (now called University of Toledo Medical Center) paramedic program. I received my National Registry Certification as an Advanced EMT and Paramedic after working full-time and completing two years of intense classwork and field training.  

I was appointed to the ERT as an entry team/breacher.  I guess they believed this big ol’ boy would be good at knocking down doors.  I received my certification as a SWAT Operator through the State Highway Patrol and Breacher certification through the Ohio Tactical Officers Associations while on the team.  I received Tactical Medic through the International School of Tactical Medicine and advanced Tactical Medic through Owens Community College and was able to serve as an entry team member and tactical medic on the ERT.

I was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2012 after passing the written exam and oral board.  I served as shift supervisor until I retired in 2021.  During my time in the supervisor/leadership role, I served as the Special Assignment Unit Supervisor.  This unit worked with the Vice narcotics Unit and conducted undercover operations along with uniformed operations for Criminal and Drug Interdiction.  After serving in that role, I was appointed as the Field Training Officer Supervisor.  This was in conjunction with my shift supervisor role.  I obtained my FTO Supervision certification through the Ohio Peace Officer Academy and Kaminsky, Sullenberg and Associates.  If you are wondering why two different schools, I was entrusted to evaluate and recommend the best school to train future Field Training Officers.  I evaluated and revamped the Field Training Officer Policies and Procedures along with a standardized evaluation guideline to promote quality of training.

I continued to serve in several co-occurring roles with my supervisor duties that included the Honor Guard Commander, CIT Coordinator, Special Olympics Torch Run Coordinator for Hancock County, and CPR/First Aid Instructor.  Although I had many other small roles at the Police Department, these were the highlights of my duties.  All of these duties were boots on the ground and provided practical experience in leadership and administrative duties.  

When it comes to the sheer volume of calls and variety of incidents. I have an immense amount of practical experience.   I have coordinated searches for missing persons, barricaded subjects, crime scenes, suspicious deaths  and major crimes.  I have investigated or been involved directly and indirectly in  major crimes and made  apprehensions of suspects involved in  thefts, aggravated  robbery, sexual assaults, aggravated assaults, drug offenses and homicides.  I have prepared search warrants, subpoenas and conducted interviews and interrogations.  I have handled tens of thousands of criminal, civil and traffic related calls for service over my three decades in law enforcement.  

In addition to mandatory training, I sought and obtained advanced training and certifications in interviewing techniques, NRA firearms instruction and advanced functions, American Heart Association Instructor, sexual assault forensic interviewing of juveniles, advance patrol tactics and response, ALICE Instructor (active killer response), Iincident Command System to include ICS 300 and 400 for command staff. I have thousands of hours of training.  I am well versed and well rounded in all aspects of law enforcement operations and management. 

In addition to my service in Law Enforcement, I have served for more than 25 years in the community in the Fire and EMS services to include Allen Township Fire Department, Van Buren, PMP Ambulance District McComb, Hanco EMS, Appleseed Ambulance District that serves Jenera, Rawson, Mt Cory and the surrounding townships.  I have received my Ohio level two firefighting certification through Apollo Career Center Center which is the level of professional firefighter.  Recently , I recertified my Haz-mat Weapons of Mass Destruction Technician certification.

I am on several boards that include the Local Emergency Planning Commission, Focus Recovery and Wellness Board Vice-chair, and the Community Corrections Action Board where I served as a statutory member and now a community member.

I served in the United States Army Reserves 342nd Military Police  Company in Columbus.  Although I was not a combat veteran, I  have seen what combat has done to my brothers and sisters.  I cannot speak as to how that affected them, but I know I am here to support them and whatever manner I can.  This is the reason I work for the Veterans Services Office and helped create the Veterans Response Team that I currently coordinate.  It is my mission to help as many Veterans as humanly possible to navigate a crisis and help prevent the loss of our Veterans though suicide.

I met some of the greatest people in the Army and I miss them everyday.  I especially miss my brothers and sisters that never came home.  I was introduced to some of the greatest influences of my leadership style in the Army.  Believe it or not, one of my drill sergeants was one of the most empathetic people I have ever met.  You could tell by his actions that he wanted his platoon to succeed and worked with us to make it happen.  He would spend hours talking to us, not as soldiers, but as people.  He was just as proud, if not prouder when we made it through our final three day/night exercise before graduation.  He encouraged us to grow as a team and to be supportive of each other.  With people always telling me that I am a very kind and nice person I remember the words of Drill Sgt. Cheadle, “Never mistake my kindness for weakness.” I live by the words of Drill Sgt.  Cheadle today, for not only am I kind and empathetic, I am strong in my faith, family, country, community, leadership, integrity and experience. 

I also live by the Army Core Values of LEADERSHIP acronym  and have adapted them to my law enforcement and community service..  Loyalty- to God, Family, Country and Community, Duty- fulfill my obligation  to serve ethically and morally by following the Oath of of a Peace Officer, Respect- treat everyone with dignity and as they want to be treated, Selfless Service- put all others before myself and serve by going above and beyond expectations, Honor- hold myself to a higher standard and live an unsullied life and be of high moral turpitude,  Integrity- to always be truthful and honest, Personal Courage- doing the right thing all the time and not allowing other influences to corrupt my ethics or morality even when no one is watching.  

I refuse to jeopardize my values to win a vote.  There is nothing more discouraging or frustrating than to hear someone speak in a manner to get elected and then instantly change upon being elected or change when they are speaking to different groups.  I understand that some may not agree with my stances on certain issues, but I will not waiver back and forth on the issues.  I have been raised to be a man of my word and I will not go against my faith and my upbringing.  I will not buy this election.  I have not and will not ask businesses for monetary donations.  The Sheriff’s Office is not to be influenced and I refuse to accept any type of support that could be construed as a favor.  

Although I have had many great leaders and mentors, my leadership is influenced most by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  He has shown me how to lead in my family, my profession, my church and my community.  Psalm 78:72 tells us how to lead:  With upright heart, he shepherded them and guided them with skillful hand.

I believe in community service.  This is not just what we are hired to do and what we get paid for, it is the service that goes above and beyond. I believe that the community has given me the opportunity to earn a living with a career I love.  I believe that as a person that believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ, I must give back.  Second Corinthians 9:7 tells us, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  Community service is not to be done only when an election is before us, it is to be done throughout our career and lifetime.  

I have been a part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for 27 years, Shop with a Cop for 23 years, and Wreaths Across America for seven years. I am a volunteer instructor for Guitars for Vets and have graduated six students. I have been involved in the planning and fundraising to bring the Wall that Heals to Hancock County.  These are just a few of the programs and events that I have been involved in over my entire service to Hancock County.

Now to the heart of it all, why do I want to be your Sheriff  for Hancock County?  God has put the passion in my heart to serve my community.  John 3:18 says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.”  I have a passion for leadership and have the inherent expertise to succeed as your Sheriff to make this community safe for all that live, work and visit here.  I believe that the Sheriff’s Office is not my Office.  It belongs to YOU, the citizens of Hancock County.  As your elected Sheriff, it will be my duty to lead, supervise and grow YOUR Sheriff’s Office staff.  I want to make YOUR Sheriff’s Office a member of the community team that promotes effective communication and partnerships.  I want the community to have input into how YOUR Sheriff’s Office operates and how it spends YOUR tax dollars.  As YOUR Sheriff, I will lead the team that treats our citizens with respect and dignity.  As YOUR Sheriff, I will lead a team that is highly trained and confident to handle any situation that comes before them.  As a citizen of this County, I want the Sheriff’s Office to be the best it can be and that is why I am asking for your vote on March 19th to be the Republican nominee for Hancock County Sheriff.  Thank you, God bless you, our community and country!

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Daniel R. Harmon for Sheriff, Scott A. Burns, Treasurer