PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TOP COP AWARD … Michael Polley (back row, second from left) received the Williams County Prosecutor’s Office Top Cop Award on Friday, February 20, for his outstanding dedication and work in law enforcement. Sharing the special moment is his family: in the front row, from left, his daughter Kate Polley and his son Eli Polley; standing from left, his father Mark Polley, Michael Polley, his wife Denae Polley, and his mother Paulette Polley.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Being honored for doing extraordinary work for the families in Williams County, Michael Polley was the recipient of the Williams County Prosecutor’s Office Top Cop Award at a ceremony held at the Williams County Office Complex on Friday, February 20. Polley was presented with the Top Cop Award by County Prosecutor Katie Zartman.
Since 2015, Polley has served as a Juvenile Probation Officer and Truancy Officer for the Williams County Juvenile Court’s Probation office.
“I just think of all the great men and women who serve Williams County every single day and also of deserving of this recognition,” said Polley. “I’m very humbled and I appreciate this award. Again, I do appreciate for you coming out and your support.”
Polley was nominated for the award by current diversion officer, Gary Mohre, who spoke highly of this year’s award recipient. “He is changing the lives of so many young juveniles in our community with reinforced positivity and hope for the future,” said Mohre.
“He is involved with several community organizations and donates countless hours to youth programs. I feel Mr. Polley would be an outstanding choice for Officer of the Year.”
A lifelong resident of Williams County, Polley is a graduate of Hilltop High School and earned two bachelor’s degrees from Olivet Nazarene University for criminal justice and sociology in 2011. He completed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.
Polley got his start in law enforcement in 2012 as a full-time patrolman for the West Unity Police Department. He was also the first school resource officer for the Millcreek-West Unity School District that same year.
He has also served as a special deputy with the Sheriff’s Office since 2015. He responds to requests for assistance at community events, the County Fair, elections, and emergencies.
Currently, he serves on the Board of the Juvenile Detention Center, the Advisory Board of the Family Intervention Court, and the Board of Advisors for Career-Based Interventions at the Four County Career Center. He also coaches baseball and soccer in his community from time to time, for his kids’ teams.
“Michael (Polley) has made a tremendous difference in the lives of Williams County teenagers and families,” said Zartman in her remarks. “He has literally turned their lives around. It would not be a stretch to say that his work may have saved multiple lives.
“They may say that they might not have appreciated his work with them at the time, but looking back a few years later, they see what a difference he personally made in their lives, such that several of them have come to see him and thank him.”