SRT demonstrates skills
Several members of the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) provided a live demonstration of their skills at the Janusian Club meeting held at Schumaker Farms on Tuesday evening, Sept. 19. The West Lafayette Lions Club also attended as guests of the Janusian Club. Members of the SRT who were present are: Front row – Detective Dave Stone with K-9 Henata, Deputy Steven Mox with Chili, back row – Sgt. Matt Woitel, Lt. Chip Udischas, Sgt. Wes Eppley and Deputy Steve Walsh. SRT members are pictured with the MRAP, a vehicle used in critical situations. Mark Fortune | Beacon
WEST LAFAYETTE – Members of the Special Response Team (SRT) of the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office along with two K-9’s – Henata and Chili – arrived in style using the MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle at the Janusian Club meeting held Tuesday evening Sept. 19 at Schumaker Farms in West Lafayette. Members of the West Lafayette Lions Club were also present as guests. The Janusian Club is celebrating its 52nd year serving the community.
Detective Dave Stone was joined by other members of the SRT present and explained the purpose of the team and their mission for the sheriff’s office and the community.
The special response team is similar to the S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams that people are familiar with. The SRT goes on drug raids and other high risk situations and will help other counties in high risk situations. The members of the team are all part-time and everyone on the team is in another role at the Sheriff’s Office.
Members on the team perform in roles such as: Long-range observers, medic, driver, hostage negotiators, armorer and others. They attend classes for training 15 hours per month and invest their own dollars for equipment and weapons. Various local agencies and groups have also provided funding for precious resources like new tactical vests that the group is thankful for.
Detective Dave Stone said, “We pray that we never have to go on many of the missions we train for. We do this because we absolutely love it. We’re a part-time team and we devote a lot of hours to this.”
The team goes on approximately 13 to 15 missions per year. “We’re always on call – we do this as a passion not the money.”
Questions arose about the MRAP which came at no cost to the county. It is provided through a federal government program that disburses used or obsolete equipment to law enforcement agencies across the nation. Detective Stone said, “It’s nice to have when you need it.”
Following a discussion and Q&A session, the team put on a live demonstration of arresting a suspect using firearms with blanks, flash bang and K-9 Chili.
Arlene Reddick is the current President of the Janusian Club and Judy Blair is past-president.
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