Crime & Safety
Mentor Police Department Recognizes Citizen, Officer of the Year
Patrolman Mike Toth, the officer of the year, once went 11 years without using a sick day and Bill Gibb was a lieutenant with the Cleveland Police Department before he became Mentor's Victim Assistance Advocate
Mentor Police Patrolman Michael Toth once went 11 years without using a sick day.
And Bill Gibb retired as a lieutenant for Cleveland Police Department before he started working as the victim assistance advocate in Mentor.
Mentor Police Department recognized Toth and Gibb as their officer and citizen of the year, respectively, at the Tuesday.
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Toth has been with the department since 1977. He earned the distinguished and exceptional service awards. He is also one of three Mentor police officers to receive the combat cross.
Toth helped found the department's hostage negotiation team in 1985 and still serves as a negotiator. He has worked in the crime prevention unit since 2001.
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He also regularly serves as the master of ceremonies at police department retirement parties.
"Patrolman Toth's communication skills and friendly demeanor makes him easily approachable – from the veteran police officer to the senior citizens to the preschool toddlers," Mentor Police Capt. Kevin Knight said.
Likewise, Knight called Gibb "the ultimate professional." As the victim assistance advocate, Gibb interacts with police, prosecutors and the victims of crimes.
"His kind personality helps maintain an effective working relationship with all the different entities he interacts with," Knight said.
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