Deputy Christopher Potter

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. The A-T spoke with Seneca County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Potter. Potter is from Toledo and graduated from Roy C. Start High School in 1991. After graduation, he joined the Army and spent seven years as a military police officer. During his time in the Army, he spent two years in Germany, a year in New Jersey, two years in Georgia during which he was deployed to Albania during the Bosnian conflict and ended his career in Alaska. Potter then moved to California and began the hiring process for both the California Highway Patrol and U.S. Border Patrol. However, he moved back to Ohio for personal reasons and completed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy at Terra Community College. He was then hired by the Seneca County Sheriff's Office in December 2004. Potter spent two years as a correctional officer in the jail and was then promoted to the warrants department, then the transports division and then the enforcement division in June 2007. Potter's responsibilities in his current position are senior operator of breath testing devices, traffic grant administrator, standardized field sobriety test instructor, drug recognition expert and notary public. He is also a guest speaker/instructor for 4-H and Seneca County Juvenile Court CARTEENS program. "I am extremely passionate about traffic safety and impaired driving," Potter told the A-T. "I take great pride in the removal of impaired drivers from our roadways. I consistently strive to ensure the safety of all motorists through continuous training and strict personal standards." He said he always wanted to be in law enforcement. As a child, when playing cops and robbers, he was always the cop. Potter said he also had a picture of a military police officer standing outside of his patrol vehicle talking on his radio hanging on his bedroom wall, that was his inspiration. Potter said there are three main reasons he does this job: to help people, every day is different and he gets to bust bad guys. "When you see someone in a crisis, and you can solve that crisis or at least be there for them in that moment of need fills you with a sense of accomplishment and purpose," Potter explained of helping people. "Nothing feels better than knowing you made a difference. We are problem solvers, counselors and sometimes there to just listen. I and another deputy searched a dumpster for heart medication that was accidentally thrown out. We were able to find the medication and return it. The gratitude and appreciation we received was amazing." He told another story of a case that stuck with him. Potter said he spent hours investigating the unauthorized use of a vehicle. A woman's daughter had taken her vehicle to Toledo to buy drugs. The daughter had recently gotten out of the hospital after being severely beaten. Potter found the vehicle and arrested the daughter. After the daughter was taken to jail, she received help through the court process. He said that although this was seven years ago, he still receives a thank you from the woman's mother on April 15 every year, which is the night Potter found her. "It is unenviable that you will get the opportunity or be required to help someone," Potter said of busting criminals. "Between those opportunities, I like to bust bad guys, plain and simple. The truth is there are criminals and crimes being committed. I am here to find it, arrest it or prevent it. Most of the time you are helping someone by preventing crime or solving a crime, so you are back to reason number 1." Potter said his free time is dedicated to his home life. He has been married to his wife for over 20 years and because of her love of Cedar Point, they get season passes every year. Potter also spends his time off relaxing and unwinding at home. He also meticulously cleans his patrol vehicle since he spends so much time in it. "I want the public to know and understand that not all deputies or officers are like those you see on television," Potter said. "A few bad apples have destroyed our image. I leave my house every day not knowing if I will return. What do you think that is worth an hour? I don't do this job for the pay, the glory, or the public abuse. Every April 15th I get a text from a mother that reminds me why I do this job. Every thank you I get reminds me why I do this job."