Sgt. LaVerne Keefe, Tiffin Police Department

National Police Week takes place the week of May 15 every year. This year National Police Week is May 14 – May 20. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, in 1962, President John Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. In honor of National Police Week, the A-T interviewed local law enforcement to shine a light on the men and women of Tiffin Police Department and Seneca County Sheriff's Office. To kick off the series, the A-T spoke to Tiffin Police Sgt. LaVerne M. Keefe. Keefe was born and raised in Tiffin. He graduated from Calvert in 1995 and Terra State Community College in 1997. His education at Terra State left him with an associate's degree in police science. Keefe then completed the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy and gained his police certification in June 1997 in London, Ohio. He also holds numerous police-related certifications and other training. Keefe is currently working on computer and IT-related certifications. Keefe and his wife moved to Ashland for a couple of years in the 90s and then returned to Tiffin in 2000 when he joined TPD. "As a young man, I was planning to go to college for mechanical engineering, but self-reflection made me realize that law enforcement better fit my personality," he said when asked why he joined law enforcement. "I have always enjoyed helping others when and where I can and police work seemed like a natural choice in carrying that out." Keefe said one of his favorite parts of his job is helping people. One of the other aspects of his work he enjoys is community policing. "This could be as simple as stopping and talking with members of the community, giving tours at the police department, or interacting with young people at schools or anywhere that I see them," he said. In his position as a sergeant, Keefe enjoys guiding new and veteran officers to good outcomes in their cases. In that same vein, he is able to help shape the direction of the department and uphold the high standard of police service he believes the public deserves. He also serves as the systems administrator for the department's computer network. Keefe said that while that part of his job is very challenging, he enjoys it. "Last, but certainly far from the least, I have to mention the great team we have at Tiffin Police Department as one of my favorite parts of the job. We have an incredible leadership team and group of officers at our department." In his free time, Keefe spends much of the time enjoying going to activities for his kids. He enjoys metal detecting, hunting and fishing with his son. He and his wife enjoy attending concerts, watching Netflix and Hulu and going out to eat. Keefe said he is currently teaching two of his kids to drive and he and his wife are planning a wedding for their oldest daughter. He enjoys working on remodeling his early-1900s home. Keefe also said he has recently joined a local fitness center and enjoys weightlifting and cardio. "I feel very fortunate for having been able to serve the citizens of Tiffin for the past 23 years," Keefe continued. "I plan to retire from police work in two years, but want to continue to serve the community, so I will be watching for ways to continue to do that after I retire."