Schmidt sworn in as Urbana police sergeant

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Shawn E. Schmidt was sworn in as a sergeant of the Urbana Police Division during Tuesday’s Urbana City Council meeting.

Born and raised in Lima, Schmidt, 38, is the son of Neil Schmidt and Linda Frueh.

The 1996 graduate of Lima Central Catholic High School earned his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Lima Technical College in 1999 and was certified as a basic police officer at the police academy there.

Schmidt was hired by the Urbana Police Division on March 13, 2000.

From 2012 to 2015, Schmidt was assigned to the division’s investigative unit. He is a firearms and less lethal weapons instructor as well as a crisis negotiator and field training officer for the division.

Schmidt has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career, including:

•2014 Distinguished Duty Award for his investigation efforts in the Jerald Myers homicide case.

•2014 Exceptional Duty Award for his involvement in solving multiple high-profile cases.

•2013 Distinguished Duty Award for his efforts in the UPD Drug Enforcement strategy of “Covert to Overt to Closed in 30-Days.”

•2013 Exceptional Duty Award for having success in multiple high-profile investigations.

•Induction into the American Police Hall of Fame for his involvement in the 2012 Jessica Rae Sacco homicide case.

Schmidt was officially promoted May 16 by Urbana’s Director of Administration Kerry Brugger.

Prior to Tuesday’s oath of office, Chief Matt Lingrell recognized Schmidt and his family, sharing a story indicating Schmidt’s good character and dedication. The story concerned a 2014 rape investigation Schmidt worked on that led to the conviction and prison sentence for the individual responsible for that crime. Schmidt, away on a family vacation at the time, returned to Urbana to assist in the investigation, which included him overseeing the crime scene and the collection of evidence, multiple interviews with witnesses, the victim and with the perpetrator, who confessed to Schmidt the crime of rape.

Lingrell thanked Schmidt’s wife Ellie and two of their sons, Chase and Nate, recognizing their willingness, as family members of a police officer, to sacrifice their needs sometimes for the benefit of others, whenever Schmidt has had to put a crime victim above or next to the desires of his personal life.

Schmidt and his wife are the parents of Reece, 16, Chase, 14, and Nate, 12. Mrs. Schmidt held the family Bible as the oath of office was administered to her husband by the Honorable Judge Gil S. Weithman.

At the conclusion of Schmidt’s swearing-in, those in attendance gave him a standing ovation. A short reception followed in the police conference room with cake and refreshments.

https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/06/web1_Schmidt.jpgPhoto courtesy of the Urbana Police Division

Recently promoted Urbana Police Sgt. Shawn Schmidt stands with his wife Ellie and sons Chase and Nate as Judge Gil S. Weithman administers the oath of office during Tuesday’s Urbana City Council meeting.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/06/web1_SchmidtSwear.jpgRecently promoted Urbana Police Sgt. Shawn Schmidt stands with his wife Ellie and sons Chase and Nate as Judge Gil S. Weithman administers the oath of office during Tuesday’s Urbana City Council meeting. Photo courtesy of the Urbana Police Division

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