PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
WILLIAMS COUNTY TOP COP AWARD … Andrew Collert (second right) received the Williams County Prosecutor’s Office “Top Cop” award for his outstanding work in law enforcement on Friday, August 21. From left are his wife Molly Collert, his daughter Ava Collert, Andrew Collert and Williams County Prosecutor Katie Zartman.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Describing his own law enforcement career in Williams County, Andrew Collert said he has made a difference and has always wanted to help people out.
The Montpelier resident, who has been involved in law enforcement for the last 21 years, was honored as the “Top Cop” of the Year by the Williams County Prosecutor’s Office in a ceremony held on Friday, August 21.
“It means a lot to me, and it’s nice to be recognized,” said Collert after receiving the honor from Williams County Prosecutor Katie Zartman.
“I always tried to do the best I can on my investigations and give them everything they need to prosecute it.
“This kind of recognizes it is something that I do. I’m just humbled and honored for receiving it.”
Collert has served as the lead investigator at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO) since 2023.
“He is extremely well-respected and that his advice and opinion is sought out by his colleagues, and I’ve heard that from several of his colleagues who have worked with him over the years,” said Zartman.
“He is a leader and a great friend, but his colleagues go to him for advice and counsel, and even his supervisors go to him for advice and counsel on what to do with something that is difficult.
“A lot of that has to do with his attitude, he’s always calm, reasonable and doesn’t get worked up about things.”
His duties at CCNO include investigating crimes at the jail, cases involving drugs and contraband brought into the jail, assaults on correction officers and inmates, and crimes committed against inmates or correction officers. He also does staff investigations and internal affairs.
“Andy (Collert) wants to do a very thorough job at getting those cases properly investigated, handled properly,” said Zartman.
Zartman continued to say about Collert, “A lot of people who go to CCNO do not like or trust law enforcement officers, but when you meet somebody like Andy Collert, you don’t quite feel that same way.
“He can gain the trust of a person because he is so calm, reliable in terms of keeping things confidential and always doing what is right to keep people safe.
“He has garnered the respect of all the staff at the CCNO and the Sheriff’s Department he works with, but also the inmates, victims, public, citizens and is well-liked and is trusted.”
He currently serves as a special deputy with the Williams County Sheriff’s Department, where he rose to the rank of sergeant and had worked as an evidence room technician.
Collert was previously an officer with the Montpelier Police Department for eight years.
“He’s always been service to others and always trying to make things better,” Zartman said.
Zartman said that Collert was chosen not only for his excellence in law enforcement, but also for top-notch investigations and background checks.
At CCNO, the staff and inmates respect Collert and trust him. He also is a natural leader and mentor to fellow officers.
He also assisted with the upbringing of younger generations and is there to assist others.
Zartman described Collert as meticulous with his cases, great with the public, professional and wanting to know how to do better, friendly, easy to get along with, service oriented and a great communicator.
When she asked Collert about some of the memorable cases and matters he has handled over his career, he mentioned the Alan Dolman case, in which a child sexual predator preyed on local children in Montpelier. Collert was a relatively new officer at that time.
“He handled that case, and it was very successful,” Zartman said. “He (Dolman) is spending the rest of his life in prison. He also had mentioned in the case one of the victims had brought him flowers and thanked him.”
Also in attendance was Ohio State Representative Jim Hoops, who presented a proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives to Collert for his outstanding work in law enforcement.
Story updated August 24, 2026 at 10:14 a.m.
