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24th Annual Mike York Memorial Officer Appreciation Luncheon

On October 16th we held our 24th Annual Officer Appreciation Luncheon, which recently was renamed the Mike York Memorial Officer Appreciation Luncheon, and as always it was a great success. We had 12 corporate tables this year.  We had 96 registered for the luncheon, with 23 different law enforcement agencies present and 19 different private sector security companies represented.  Our speaker Lieutenant Colonel Charles J. Linek III, Assistant Superintendent Ohio State Highway Patrol gave an informative presentation. I would like to thank everyone who attended to help show their appreciation to the committed law enforcement and security professionals for the work they do to help keep us all safe.

Dee Holcomb was the emcee at the luncheon.  Dee introduced our speaker, recognized several Sheriff’s as well as State and Federal partners in attendance.  Although we had no line of duty deaths in central Ohio since our last luncheon Dee did recognize several law enforcement officers who passed away in the line of duty in Ohio.

A big thank you to Lynda Buel and Dee Holcomb for being committee members and helping me put this event together as well as Bernie Pack and Margaret Phillips who handled the registration desk.  A special thank you goes out to Michelle Merkel, Founder and President of Merkel Wealth Management who is our host sponsor and makes it possible for us to hold this event at the Scioto Country Club every year.

I want to especially thank the following corporate sponsors who, without their financial support, this annual luncheon would not be possible.

Tim Beverly
Officer Appreciation Luncheon Committee Chairman

2024 Officer Appreciation Luncheon

23rd Annual Officer Appreciation Luncheon Wrap-up

On October 17 2024, ASIS held its 23rd Annual Officer Appreciation Luncheon, and as always, it was a great
success. There were 14 corporate tables this year. Registered for the luncheon were 110 individuals, with 24
different law enforcement agencies and 18 different sector security companies represented.

Tim Beverly started out the program with the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions and a prayer. Present for the event
were the Columbus Police Honor Guard and The Columbus Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, whose presence we
always appreciate.

Dee Holcomb was the emcee at the luncheon. Dee introduced our speaker, and recognized several new police chiefs
and sheriffs, and recognized several law enforcement officers who passed away in the line of duty in Ohio since our
last luncheon. There were no law enforcement officers in the Central Ohio area who lost their lives since our last
luncheon.

This year’s speaker was Bruce Pijanowski, Superintendent of Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) who
gave an informative presentation. The BCI has 416 employees of which over 100 are sworn officers. BCI was
originally on the grounds of the prison near London Ohio and used prisoners to process records. An original mission
was concern over Black Market operations. Today a major focus is Cyber Crime with extensive data sharing and
analysis with other agencies. There are now BCI sub-offices in Bowling Green and northeast Ohio (Richfield).
Bruce spoke about several criminal cases. He briefly mentioned the 2016 Pike County Mass Murder case which is
still on-going. He indicated that BCI is the DNA portal between Ohio Law Enforcement and the FBI. Major efforts
today include Crypto-Currency Fraud, Artificial Intelligence, Facial Recognition, evaluating new body armor and
the use of drones. BCI is the State Center for Data collection and dissemination to DHS and other Fusion Centers.
ASIS would like to thank everyone who attended to help show their appreciation to the committed law enforcement
and security professionals for the work they do to help keep us all safe.

In closing, special appreciation goes to Lynda Buel, Mike York, and Dee Holcomb for being committee members
and helping put this event together as well as Bernie Pack and Margaret Phillips who handled the registration desk.
A special “thank you” goes out to Michelle Merkel, Founder and President of Merkel Wealth Management who is
our host sponsor and makes it possible for ASIS to hold this event at the Scioto Country Club every year.

Also ASIS would like to acknowledge the following corporate sponsors who, without their financial support, this
annual luncheon would not be possible.

Mark your calendars for next year’s Officer Appreciation Luncheon to be held on October 16, 2025.

Tim Beverly
Officer Appreciation Luncheon Committee Chairman