Dan Briggs is a first baseman who played 7 seasons for the California Angels, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos, and Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. He also played one season and part of another in Japan with the Yakult Swallows. He is the current owner of Big League Baseball in Worthington, Ohio.
Leonol Fernandez was a Professional Jockey from 1977-1995. Fernandez was a multiple stake winning rider, winning races of half a million and million dollar purses. Leonol retired due to injuries with over 2800 career wins.
Mark Isbister was seven time state champion in three different weight divisions seven years straight, and Grand Champion numerous times on the open circuit. He is a former national team competitor and a Gold Medalist in the 1987 Goodwill Tae Kwon Do Games. He defeated the Korean National Champion for the Gold, and is a member of the Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame. Also, he served as the 1998 World Championship Mexico City head arbitrator for the games. His golf handicap is 13.
Pete Johnson played fullback for Ohio State from 1973 through 1976. Johnson's best season was in 1975. Even though Archie Griffin led the team with 1,450 rushing yards, Johnson still rushed for 1,059 yards and set single OSU single season records for rushing touchdowns (25) and scoring (156 points).
One of Johnson's more notable performances was a game against the University of North Carolina in 1975. While Griffin rushed for 157 yards, Johnson rushed for 148 yards and set a school record with five touchdowns. Johnson finished his career at Ohio State with 2,308 rushing yards and a school record 58 touchdowns (which was also a Big Ten record as well). His 348 points was also a Buckeyes record until surpassed by kicker Mike Nugent's 356 points in 2004.
In 2000, Johnson was selected for the Ohio State Football All-Century Team. On September 8, 2007, during halftime of the Ohio State-Akron game, Johnson was inducted into Ohio State's Athletics Hall of Fame.
A superb rusher and blocker, Johnson excelled at running back for the Bengals. He was the team's leading rusher for all seven seasons he played for them, and scored 12 or more rushing touchdowns in three different seasons. His best season was in 1981, when he was a Pro Bowl selection. Johnson set career highs in rushing (1,077 yards), receptions(46), receiving yards(320) and touchdowns(16), leading the team to a 12-4 record.
In the postseason, Johnson helped the team record their first ever playoff win by rushing for 45 yards, catching 3 passes for 23 yards, and scoring a touchdown in the team's 28-21 divisional victory over the Buffalo Bills. Then in the AFC title game(known in NFL lore as the Freezer Bowl), Johnson rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown, while also catching a 14-yard reception as the team defeated the San Diego Chargers 27-7 to earn their first ever Super Bowl appearance. However, the team lost Super Bowl XVI to the San Francisco 49ers 26-21, and Johnson was limited to just 36 rushing yards and 8 receiving yards in the game.
In his eight NFL seasons, Johnson rushed for 5,626 yards, caught 175 passes for 1,334 yards, and scored 82 touchdowns (76 rushing and 6 receiving).
Brad Komminsk, a Lima, Ohio native is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played throughout the minor and major leagues, including for the Cleveland Indians, the Atlanta Braves, and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Since the end of his playing days, Komminsk has been a minor league coach and manager with several teams, including the Kinston Indians.
John Pacella was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1977 to 1986 for the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. Pacella had such an unusual delivery that at times his cap would fall off after a pitch.
From Brooklyn, Pacella moved to Suffolk County in 1965 and attended Connetquot High School. He was drafted by the Mets organization in 1974.
Nominator: Cathy Harper Lee
Joanne Aubrey is a pioneer in the anti-domestic and sexual violence movements.
Joanne endured several years of abuse by her husband. On December 18, 1969, three weeks after she left him, Joanne’s husband shot her at close range with a sawed off shotgun. Joanne was 31 years old.
It was nothing short of a miracle that Joanne lived. She lost her spleen, a kidney, part of her liver, part of her pancreas, two-thirds of her stomach, and pieces of her ribs. It took 18 months, and ten major surgeries to recover.
For attempting to murder Joanne, her husband only spent 24 hours in jail and was released on a $5,000 bond. He then drained her bank accounts and fled to another country. Although Joanne discovered where he was, justice officials would not extradite him.
Joanne, determined to help domestic violence victims, decided to become a lawyer. In 1981, Joanne began her legal career as a domestic relations attorney with an emphasis on helping domestic violence victims. She also began reaching out to justice officials, and countless other groups, to provide education about domestic violence and needed improvements in the criminal systems response. She appeared on numerous radio and TV programs. Keep in mind, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), the first federal source dedicated directly to domestic violence shelters and programs, wasn’t yet established. Joanne has always been a pioneer.
Since May 2015, Joanne Aubrey has had the passion, energy, drive, and commitment to help protect the rights of hundreds of crime victims each year by donating her time and expertise to Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center.
At 79 years old, Joanne is still demonstrating her compassion, commitment, and pioneer spirit of improving the lives of crime victims by currently helping draft implementation legislation for the Marsy’s Law Ohio constitutional amendment.
Nominator: John Johnson
Officer Eric Joseph Joering was a 1997 graduate of Westerville South High School and attended the Columbus State College Police Program
On February 10, 2018 Officers Morelli and Joering were killed in the line of duty while responding to a 911 domestic violence call.
Domestic violence calls are often the most dangerous for responding officers. Although the 911 call came in to the Westerville Police Department as a hang up, and officers had been called to the residence numerous times before, Officers Morelli and Joering understood the cycle of violence and responded swiftly. They lost their lives protecting the lives of a mother and her child and the Westerville community.
Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said the word hero is thrown around like candy, but the title truly applied to Officers Morelli and Joering – long before Feb. 10.
Officer Morelli was a 29 year veteran of the Westerville Police Department. In 2012, Officer Morelli was elected by his peers as the Westerville Division of Police Officer of the Year for outstanding actions and conduct. Officer Morelli was also recognized for taking place in the 2015 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run, supporting the Special Olympics of Ohio.
Officer Joering was a 16 year veteran of the Westerville Police Department. During his time with the Westerville Police Department Officer Joering was a patrol officer, worked in the Detective Bureau, and then became a K-9 Officer partnered with Sam. Thankfully, Sam has gone home to live with Officer Joering’s family.
Officer Joering was three times recognized with the Exceptional Duty Award. He was also recognized with a commendation in 2013 for his role in an investigation that led to the arrest of dealers with links to high-level drug traffickers in Mexico.
More than just dedicated officers, these two men were dedicated fathers and husbands.
Officer Morelli is survived by his wife of 28 ½ years Linda, son Christopher, daughter Elizabeth, and future son-in-law, Dan Frank.
Officer Joering is survived by his wife Jami and his young daughters, Eva, Elena, and Ella.
Because they responded to that call, Officer Morelli will not walk his daughter Beth down the aisle at her wedding. Officer Joering will not watch as his three young daughters, Eva, Elena, and Ella graduate from high school.
Westerville police chaplain James Meacham, a friend to both Morelli and Joering, said “We are tired of all the evil and darkness. We need the light.”
The man indicted for the murders of Officers Morelli and Joering has a history of violence and is facing two charges of aggravated murder of a police officer. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
Nominator: John Johnson
Officer Anthony Pasquale Morelli was raised in Massillon, Ohio. He was a Kent State University and Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy graduate.
On February 10, 2018 Officers Morelli and Joering were killed in the line of duty while responding to a 911 domestic violence call.
Domestic violence calls are often the most dangerous for responding officers. Although the 911 call came in to the Westerville Police Department as a hang up, and officers had been called to the residence numerous times before, Officers Morelli and Joering understood the cycle of violence and responded swiftly. They lost their lives protecting the lives of a mother and her child and the Westerville community.
Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said the word hero is thrown around like candy, but the title truly applied to Officers Morelli and Joering – long before Feb. 10.
Officer Morelli was a 29 year veteran of the Westerville Police Department. In 2012, Officer Morelli was elected by his peers as the Westerville Division of Police Officer of the Year for outstanding actions and conduct. Officer Morelli was also recognized for taking place in the 2015 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run, supporting the Special Olympics of Ohio.
Officer Joering was a 16 year veteran of the Westerville Police Department. During his time with the Westerville Police Department Officer Joering was a patrol officer, worked in the Detective Bureau, and then became a K-9 Officer partnered with Sam. Thankfully, Sam has gone home to live with Officer Joering’s family.
Officer Joering was three times recognized with the Exceptional Duty Award. He was also recognized with a commendation in 2013 for his role in an investigation that led to the arrest of dealers with links to high-level drug traffickers in Mexico.
More than just dedicated officers, these two men were dedicated fathers and husbands.
Officer Morelli is survived by his wife of 28 ½ years Linda, son Christopher, daughter Elizabeth, and future son-in-law, Dan Frank.
Officer Joering is survived by his wife Jami and his young daughters, Eva, Elena, and Ella.
Because they responded to that call, Officer Morelli will not walk his daughter Beth down the aisle at her wedding. Officer Joering will not watch as his three young daughters, Eva, Elena, and Ella graduate from high school.
Westerville police chaplain James Meacham, a friend to both Morelli and Joering, said “We are tired of all the evil and darkness. We need the light.”
The man indicted for the murders of Officers Morelli and Joering has a history of violence and is facing two charges of aggravated murder of a police officer. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
Nominator: Jane McKenzie
Ron O’Brien is a lifelong resident of Franklin County. He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican College and his Juris Doctorate degree from The Ohio State University, cum laude. After graduation from law school, he was appointed as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and later, a Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. In 1978, Ron O’Brien was appointed Columbus City Prosecutor. In 1985, Ron O’Brien was elected Columbus City Attorney, and was re-elected in 1989 and 1993. He was elected to his first term as Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney in 1996, and subsequently re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012. He is now the longest serving Prosecutor in the history of Franklin County.
Ron O’Brien served as President of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, and the Ohio Director on the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association. He served on the Governor’s Drunk Driving Task Force and was appointed by the Chief Justice to serve on the Joint Task Force to Review the Administration of Ohio’s Death Penalty. He has been recognized in the publication “Ohio’s Top Lawyers” and received numerous professional and civic awards. He was recently nominated by his peers throughout the state of Ohio and named Ohio’s Prosecutor of the Year for 2015.
Prosecutor O’Brien support the protection and enforcement of crime victims’ rights. In 2017, although the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association voted to not support Marsy’s Law, Prosecutor O’Brien spoke out in favor, and spoke out strong, in support of Marsy’s Law.
“After long days in court filled with hearings that are designed to protect the rights of defendants, I often wonder why Ohio’s judicial system cannot be more balanced if you are a crime victim.”
“It’s time for equal enforceable rights for crime victims. With more than two decades of experience as Franklin County’s prosecuting attorney, I have seen firsthand the suffering that crime victims and their families endure.”
Nominator: Kendra Carpenter
Lorie McCaughan has practiced family law her entire legal career and has fought for hundreds of domestic violence victims on a pro bono basis, both through Capital University Law School and in private practice. She has instructed hundreds of law students about domestic violence. Lorie has a phenomenal record of public service including: LSS-CHOICES Board of Directors (2012 – through merge with Lutheran Social Services 11/2013); Interfaith Legal Services Steering Committee Member; Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center Member Advisory Board; Franklin County Specialized Docket Advisory Committee, Member (since 2015) and has advocated for a domestic violence only docket to faster process CPO actions; CBA Homeless Shelter Project, Pro Bono Attorney (since 2000); The Center for Family Safety and Healing, Family Violence Research Collaborative; and Victim Services Centralized Intake Center, Member Work Group initiated by Ron O’Brien.
Lorie has served as the General Litigation Clinic Supervising Attorney and Senior Supervising Attorney of the Family Advocacy Clinic, Civil Protection Unit and was instrumental in the development and oversight of a Family Advocacy Clinic that has provided services to victims of domestic violence for almost 20 years. Lorie has served as a volunteer and pro bono lawyer to assist those without the means to hire counsel. Lorie assists domestic violence victims who find themselves homeless or “working on the street.” She is a champion of the under-served population who do not have any resources to remove themselves from abusive environments, children who seemed destined to repeat the violence they witness, and those who get lost in the justice system.
Lorie has selflessly committed to helping countless domestic violence victims and children who are caught up in the cycle. For over 20 years, she has served as a mentor to law students and practitioners, and is a well-known “go to” resource for many courts and organizations in family/domestic violence areas.
Nominator: Wendy Ricks Hoff
The Honorable Michael K. Murry, who took the bench of the Xenia Municipal Court on January 2, 2008, has been a model of justice for all. Judge Murry had one mission when he was elected, to run an exemplary court and treat any person before the court with dignity and respect. This was not just a promise reserved for persons charged with an offense, but for anyone, including crime victims.
The Victim Assistance Program through the Xenia City Law Department has been a daily presence in the courtroom because of the efforts of Judge Murry in ensuring all victims of crime have a voice and have access to their rights. Judge Murry ensures that an advocate is present at every arraignment, every in-chambers conference, trial, disposition and sentencing, and provides advocates with notice of probation terminations so that we may keep victims of crime informed about all stages of the process. Judge Murry may see a case in which an advocate is generally not involved, and is known to call the Victim Assistance Program from the bench to find out if there is victim input before proceeding. Judge Murry believes that crime victims’ input is vitally important and that crime victims’ rights are an integral part of the process. Judge Murry is careful to ensure that both defendants and victims of crime are treated with dignity and respect, and views this position as imperative in maintaining fairness and protection of the rights of all.
Crime victims in the Xenia Municipal Court are heard and validated. Judge Murry goes the extra mile to try to understand the experiences of crime victims, and the traumatic effects that can result from those experiences. Judge Murry truly cares about making ethical, compassionate and legally sound decisions, and in his ability to affect change. It is a pleasure to advocate for victims of crime before a Judge that 100% believes that crime victims’ rights are important and meaningful.
Nominator: Devorah Pasternak
Mark Beckwith is an Advocate in the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office Delinquency Division. Mark holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and is a Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor, and Clinical Supervisor. He went through training to become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and is a Registered Advocate with Senior Standing. Mark has 17 years of experience working as a Victim Advocate but also worked for several years as a Juvenile Probation Officer. This experience not only provided Mark with a distinctive skillset, but also a unique perspective of the system that many victims will navigate.
Mark’s years of experience and sincere care for victims’ experience in court and beyond is what truly sets him apart. Mark acts as that solid source of support and information that helps ground victims and makes what can be a tumultuous process less unpredictable and traumatic. Whether by one’s side in the courtroom, sharing conversation in a conference room while waiting for a hearing, or updating a victim by phone, Mark’s attention to detail makes sure that every victim receives appropriate attention and care, information about their rights, and that their voice is heard by the Court. He will sit with victims for hours during stressful court hearings, provide support by making referrals for services, and uses creative thinking to help victims when they have nowhere else to turn.
A victim wrote of him, “My Victim Advocate, Mark Beckwith, I can’t thank him enough. He was the most helpful. I have high anxiety issues in general, and more now since the incident, but Mark made me feel comfortable and at ease. Always kept in contact with me, always showed concern, and always with the best communication. I think he is a great asset to the Summit County and hope that he will continue to provide continued services to future victims of crimes committed. Thank you.”
Nominator: Melissa Hamlin
Terri Heckman is the CEO of the Battered Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Center of Summit and Medina Counties. Throughout her 35 year career in victim services, Terri has added additional rights for domestic violence and sexual assault victims in the counties in which she works. She has spoken in front of hundreds of community groups and trained many generations of victim advocates with her special message about victim rights.
When Terri came to work for the Battered Women’s Shelter she excelled in her vision and development of programs that address the basic needs of crime victims by advocating for more funding and better facilities. Fast forward to present day, where she is now leading the way to the opening of a new state-of-the-art, one of a kind shelter for domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
Terri has changed the name to Center for HOPE AND HEALING and is helping thousands find their way back to a full, happy and healthy life. The Center for HOPE AND HEALING is a model project that can be duplicated throughout the state and country. Terri has been leading the way by encouraging other shelter directors to not settle for the old shelters that our society once thought were “good enough” for victims of violence. Terri believes that people deserve more, deserve better, and she proved that victims will feel better about themselves when they are in an environment where they can flourish and become positive and excited about life again.
Terri’s dream will help thousands of victims for many, many years to come. At one of her many speaking engagements, Terri said: “Every victim deserves the right to sleep peacefully and safely in one’s own bed and home. The right to eat a meal at a table where family and friends share stories of their day. The right to sit on a couch and watch children playing with smiles on their faces and not a care in the world. The right to love and to be loved.”
Nominator: Kimberly Castor
Detective Austin is a six year veteran of the Ohio University Police Department. Throughout his career he has been recognized numerous times for his dedication to going above and beyond to better serve his community. Detective Austin gives each investigation 110% and throughout the process remains survivor centric, trauma informed, and does anything he can to help the survivor regain control.
Throughout his sexual assualt investigations, Detective Austin remains personable, approachable, survivor centric, trauma informed, and professional. He helps survivors regain control over their lives in any way he can. He is transparent and respectful to all involved. His approach to investigations and working with survivors of sexual assault is what all survivors deserve.
Brie Sivy is a sexual assault survivor and sophomore in college who has turned her experience into a message of courage and hope for other survivors. She has since changed her major to Social Work and is an aspiring Victim Advocate. Brie has been actively involved in work on Ohio University’s campus to improve the responses people get when they disclose an assault.
She also led organizing efforts for a Start by Believing event which drew over 200+ attendees. Speaking publicly about her assault for the first time, she discussed her case with Detective Austin, who was the lead detective and the first person to interview her about the assault.
Together, they demonstrated what they believe other survivors should know and their goal that all survivors should receive positive responses when they disclose, just as she did from Detective Austin. Brie’s assailant has since been convicted and was sentenced to a prison term.
Brie has taken a truly awful experience that happened to her and is using it to help others. I cannot wait to see what her future holds because, as a sophomore in college, she is already changing lives.a
Nominator: Kimberly Castor
Detective Austin is a six year veteran of the Ohio University Police Department. Throughout his career he has been recognized numerous times for his dedication to going above and beyond to better serve his community. Detective Austin gives each investigation 110% and throughout the process remains survivor centric, trauma informed, and does anything he can to help the survivor regain control.
Throughout his sexual assualt investigations, Detective Austin remains personable, approachable, survivor centric, trauma informed, and professional. He helps survivors regain control over their lives in any way he can. He is transparent and respectful to all involved. His approach to investigations and working with survivors of sexual assault is what all survivors deserve.
Brie Sivy is a sexual assault survivor and sophomore in college who has turned her experience into a message of courage and hope for other survivors. She has since changed her major to Social Work and is an aspiring Victim Advocate. Brie has been actively involved in work on Ohio University’s campus to improve the responses people get when they disclose an assault.
She also led organizing efforts for a Start by Believing event which drew over 200+ attendees. Speaking publicly about her assault for the first time, she discussed her case with Detective Austin, who was the lead detective and the first person to interview her about the assault.
Together, they demonstrated what they believe other survivors should know and their goal that all survivors should receive positive responses when they disclose, just as she did from Detective Austin. Brie’s assailant has since been convicted and was sentenced to a prison term.
Brie has taken a truly awful experience that happened to her and is using it to help others. I cannot wait to see what her future holds because, as a sophomore in college, she is already changing lives.
On November 7, 2017, an overwhelming majority of Ohio voters passed Marsy’s Law with a record breaking 83% show of support.
Marsy’s Law provides Ohio’s crime victims the right to safety and protection, privacy, notification of proceedings, to be present at proceedings, to provide impact statements at proceedings, and the right to restitution. Rights that will now be enforced as vigorously as the rights of the accused. Marsy’s Law clarifies that crime victims can protect and enforce their rights via motions and appellate review.
Marsy’s Law was named after Dr. Nicholas’ sister, Marsalee (Marsy) Nicholas, a University of California Santa Barbara student, who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. A week after Marsy was murdered, Dr. Nicholas and Marsy’s mother walked into a grocery store after visiting Marsy’s grave and were confronted by the accused murderer. They were not told he had been released on bail.
They were not informed Marsy’s murderer had been released because the courts and law enforcement, though well-meaning, had no obligation to keep them informed. While criminals have more than 20 individual rights spelled out in the U.S. Constitution, crime victims have none.
The passage of Marsy’s Law has changed that in California, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Ohio. Crime victims have rights and legal standing to enforce their rights.
Efforts to pass Marsy’s Law are currently underway in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
We are grateful to Dr. Nicholas for dedicating his time and resources to ensure that all crime victims in the United States have equal access to justice and the ability to enforce their rights.
Before his NFL career, Louis Breeden played for North Carolina Central University. After graduating college, he was selected by the Bengals in the seventh round of the 1977 NFL draft.[2] In 1978, he became a starter and immediately made a big impact for Cincinnati, intercepting 3 passes and recovering 2 fumbles. Breeden once again had injury problems during the 1979 season, playing just 10 games and recording no interceptions, but he came back full-time in 1980, and ended up leading the Bengals with a career-high 7 picks.
Byars was a tailback with the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1982 to 1985, under head coach Earle Bruce.
In 1984, Byars finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting (behind Doug Flutie) after a season where he gained an OSU record 2,441 all-purpose yards, including a then-school record 1,764 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. That season featured a game against Illinois (Ohio State won this game 45-38 on October 13, 1984) in which Byars led a comeback from a 24-0 deficit, rushing for 274 yards and five touchdowns, the last with 36 seconds remaining in the game. On his fourth touchdown run, going for 67 yards, he famously lost his left shoe at the Illini 40 but never broke stride. Byars was a unanimous first-team All-America selection, and voted the Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player. His running backs coach that year was a young Jim Tressel, who would later become the Buckeyes' head coach.
Bill Conley is head football coach at Ohio Dominican University.
George Arthur Foster is an American former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1986. One of the most feared right-handed sluggers of his era, he was a key piece of the Cincinnati Reds' "Big Red Machine" that won consecutive World Series in 1975 and 1976.
Ira Hillary is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for four seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings.
Stanley Jackson (born March 24, 1975) is a former American football quarterback who played in the Canadian Football League and Continental Indoor Football League. He was also the co-owner of the CIFL's Marion Mayhem. Jackson is currently a color analyst for college football games on the Big Ten Network. He has also served as an analyst for the Ohio State Buckeyes' pre-game and post-game show on WTVN radio in Columbus, Ohio. Jackson has also been appointed by Ohio Governor John Kasich to the Ohio State Board of Education.
Michael Wiley was a running back for The Ohio State University. Wiley spent his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. Wiley now works in Nonprofit Organization Management.