Sheriff David Westrick honored at Saturday commencement

May 10, 2016

Pictured are DC President Richanne C. Mankey with the silver Pilgrim Medal and Sheriff Westrick speaking.

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance County Sheriff David J. Westrick was presented the silver Pilgrim Medal during the Defiance College commencement on Saturday, May 7, for his "immeasurable service to the community and unwavering friendship" to the college.

The silver Pilgrim Medal is Defiance College’s highest honor for community members, awarded to Westrick for exemplifying the traits of character represented in the medal throughout his career. These traits are reliance in self, pride in work, courage in conscience, strength in education, and faith in God.

Westrick is a lifelong resident of Adams Township in Defiance County. In 1973, he became a road deputy for the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office. He also served as an adult probation officer before his election to sheriff in 1985.

The citation presented to Westrick noted that, for the past three decades, he has carried out the duties and responsibilities of his office with a passion for the profession and for the safety and well-being of county residents. He leads by example by demonstrating fairness, commitment, and a sense of responsibility to the community and to himself, the citation stated.

In 1996, Westrick was honored with the prestigious Jefferson Freedom Award by the Fort Wayne Region for outstanding volunteer work. He has been involved with Hospice, First Call for Help, Five County Alcohol and Drug Board, Defiance Area Society for the Handicapped, and United Way. He has taught religious education for 30 years and held numerous positions within the council at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, rural Defiance.

The Pilgrim Medal citation went on to note that colleagues "describe Westrick as a wise mentor and a standard conveyer of integrity and civility, performing a demanding job with grace and humor. The Defiance legal system has benefited from his willingness to address tough issues with practical wisdom; never wavering, however, from the fundamental principles of faith, justice, and compassion."

Westrick has served on numerous state and local boards. He was president of the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association in 2003 and appointed by the governor to the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission. He serves on the governing board of the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio and has been its chairman.

He has been cited for valor by the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association and commended by the state Adult Parole Authority and the Defiance County Common Pleas Court. Westrick is also the longest-serving sheriff in Defiance County’s history and one of two longest-serving sheriffs currently in office in Ohio.

His citation noted Westrick as one of Defiance College’s greatest advocates, serving on its Criminal Justice Advisory Committee for many years and giving countless presentations to college students and to students in area schools.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.