SPD swears-in newest officer

0

SIDNEY — Sidney Police welcomed their newest officer to the department Monday evening with the swearing-in of James Luana during the Sidney City Council meeting. Council members also were presented with Sidney’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services’s promotions of Assistant Chief Chad Hollinger to deputy chief, Lt. Dallas Davis to assistant chief and Firefighter Keith Wiley to lieutenant.

Police Chief Will Balling introduced Luana to council in front of his wife and children and several members of the police department. Balling said Luana was selected to join the Sidney Police Department (SPD) after a six-month-long process.

“We are excited to swear-in James as the newest Sidney Police Officer and we look forward to he and his family becoming part of the Sidney Police Department and the community,” Balling said before two of his four children came up to hold the Bible during his swearing-in ceremony.

Luana was born in Bad Axe, Michigan, in 1989 and graduated Cass City High School in 2007, Balling said. Luana received an Associate of Applied Science from University of Northwestern in Lima. Most recently, Balling said, Luana attended Wright State University’s Police Academy and received his basic police officer certification.

During Luana’s background check, he received very positive reviews. SPD was advised he would make a very good police officer, Balling said. References said Luana was very reliable, even-keeled, hardworking, intelligent and passionate about his beliefs. Balling said Luana wanted to follow his dream to become a police officer and took a pay cut to do so.

Balling said Luana is married and he and his wife Ashley have four young children that keep them busy. He will be starting off on second shift with Officer Robert Hurd as his field training officer.

Also during Monday’s meeting, in the absence of Fire Chief Brad Jones, who is on vacation, City Manager Mark Cundiff introduced Chad Hollinger as Sidney Fire’s new deputy fire chief.

Cundiff reminded council members that due to the retirement of Deputy Chief Cameron Haller, Hollinger was promoted, effective April 28, 2019.

He said Hollinger is a 1993 graduate of Greenville Senior High and started his career with Sidney as a firefighter/EMT in 2003. Hollinger came to Sidney after being previously employed as a firefighter/EMT with the city of Monroe Fire Department and Englewood Fire Department. Hollinger has an associate degree in fire administration from Sinclair Community College and is a graduate of the Ohio Fire Executive Program, Class ‘16, Cundiff said. Hollinger was promoted to lieutenant in May of 2011 and assistant chief in February 2015.

Cundiff noted Hollinger is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fire and safety engineering technology at the University of Cincinnati. He currently resides in the Sidney area with his wife Beth and their daughters, Hannah and Emily.

After receiving a round of applause, Hollinger expressed gratitude for his advancement.

“It’s an honor and I feel humbled to be here in this capacity. It has been an exciting 17 years here at the city and blessed to work with some outstanding people. So, I count myself fortunate,” Hollinger said prior to introducing two other promoted firefighters, who moved up due to his promotion.

The promotions of Davis and Wiley were both effective May 12.

Hollinger then began introducing newly promoted Assistant Chief Dallas Davis but due to a fire or EMS call, Davis had to leave council chambers. Hollinger continued to describe Davis in his absence for council members.

Davis, Hollinger said, is a second-generation firefighter and 2000 graduate of Long Beach High School in Mississippi. Davis started with Sidney as a firefighter/paramedic in 2004. He came to Sidney after being previously employed as a fire apprentice with Dayton Fire Department and as a firefighter/paramedic with Miami Township Fire Department. Davis has an associate degree in fire administration from Sinclair Community College. He was awarded the Sidney Firefighter of the Year in 2014 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2015.

Davis currently resides in Sidney with his wife Bridget and their three children.

Next Hollinger invited Wiley up to the podium to introduce him to council members. He said Wiley is a 1992 graduate of Sidney High School. He started with Sidney as a firefighter/EMT in 2001 after being a Medical Specialist in the US Army and being employed at Wilson Memorial Hospital as an emergency room technician. Wiley received an associate degree in applied science/EMS fire science from Sinclair in 2017, Hollinger said.

Currently, Wiley resides in Sidney with his wife and their two children.

Mayor Mike Barhorst welcomed Luana and congratulated each firefighter on their promotions. Council and all in attendance gave a round of applause after each introduction.

Newly promoted Fire Lieutenant Keith Wiley shakes Deputy Fire Chief Chad Hollinger’s hand after he is introduced to Sidney City Council members during Monday’s meeting. Wiley was recently promoted to lieutenant from a firefighter position. Hollinger was also introduced to council, by City Manager Mark Cundiff, as the new deputy fire chief Monday. Hollinger was recently promoted from an assistant chief position. Newly promoted Assistant Fire Chief Dallas Davis, who was recently promoted from a lieutenant position, was also being introduced when he was called away for a fire or EMS call.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2019/06/web1_Fire-Dept.jpgNewly promoted Fire Lieutenant Keith Wiley shakes Deputy Fire Chief Chad Hollinger’s hand after he is introduced to Sidney City Council members during Monday’s meeting. Wiley was recently promoted to lieutenant from a firefighter position. Hollinger was also introduced to council, by City Manager Mark Cundiff, as the new deputy fire chief Monday. Hollinger was recently promoted from an assistant chief position. Newly promoted Assistant Fire Chief Dallas Davis, who was recently promoted from a lieutenant position, was also being introduced when he was called away for a fire or EMS call. Sheryl Roadcap | Sidney Daily News

Sidney Police’s newest officer’s young daughters, Khloe, from left, and Klaire, help swear-in their dad, James Luana, while City Manager Mark Cundiff reads the peace officer’s oath of office for Luana to repeat during Monday’s Sidney City Council meeting.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2019/06/web1_James-Luana.jpgSidney Police’s newest officer’s young daughters, Khloe, from left, and Klaire, help swear-in their dad, James Luana, while City Manager Mark Cundiff reads the peace officer’s oath of office for Luana to repeat during Monday’s Sidney City Council meeting. Sheryl Roadcap | Sidney Daily News
Firefighter promotions are presented to council

By Sheryl Roadcap

[email protected]

No posts to display