TAGS: Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, Jay Barrett, Peace Officer of the Year Award, Keller Blackburn
Jay Barrett, the director of outreach and secret service at the •Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, was awarded this year’s Peace Officer of the Year Award by the Ohio Prosecuting Attorney’s Association on Thursday.
He was nominated by Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn, a news release said, following a busy year for the county and crime.
“Jay spearheaded multiple investigations this year,” Blackburn said. “A homicide, a rape case that just recently came to a close and the police officer bust.”
In July, Barrett — along with officers Chuck Haegele, Mike Swearigen and Tom McKnight — arrested a former Detroit police officer, Brandon Jorge Allen, in Atlanta for selling $3 million worth of Oxycodone in a drug ring connecting Athens County and Canada.
Blackburn previously told The Post that the investigation was the largest in county history.
The investigation resulted in more than a dozen arrests locally for those related to the case. Allen is now serving a 17-year jail sentence.
Erie County Prosecutor Kevin Baxter, 2009 Ohio Prosecutor of the Year recipient, presented Barrett the award at this year’s Ohio Prosecutor’s Conference, Blackburn said.
Barrett spent 14 years as a deputy at the Athens County Sheriff’s Office after working for the Gallia County Prosecutor’s Office in the narcotics task force for two years.
Following his position in Athens, Barrett became chief of the Glouster Police Department. He was also an environmental officer for the Athens County Sheriff’s Office before joining the prosecutor’s office in July of 2012.
Blackburn said Barrett has a dedication to Athens and is working hard to make it a safer place.
Barrett credited his wife Tia for her “unwavering support and encouragement,” the news release said.
“I am so proud to have him as a member in my office.” Blackburn said. “He sets an example for other enforcement officers; he works diligently and perseveres.”
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