Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
West Carrollton honors Police Chief Douglas M. Woodard with awards ceremony and resolution recognizing 41 years of service
Summary
Council held the police department awards presentation, honored community volunteer Kathy Parker, presented departmental awards and passed Resolution 13-2025 formally thanking Police Chief Douglas M. Woodard for 41 years of service, including 37 with West Carrollton.
Mayor Barnhart opened the evening’s presentations by turning the meeting over to Police Chief Douglas M. Woodard for the West Carrollton Police Department’s 2024 awards ceremony.
The department presented a Citizen Recognition Award to Kathy Parker for work with the South Dayton Emergency Response Team (SDERT), which, Chief Woodard said, provided food, clothing and shelter referrals to people in crisis and distributed gifts to more than 150 families and 447 children during the 2024 Christmas season. “Kathy will be the first to tell you that she does not or cannot operate this organization by herself,” Woodard said while introducing Parker to the podium.
The department also presented Perfect Attendance awards to Officers Cameron Johnson and Alex Sanchez (officers Jared Moore and John Garwood were noted as unable to attend), an Exemplary Service Award to Officer Ian Hogston for several incidents cited in Sergeant Perry’s nomination, and the 2024 Employee of the Year Award to Teresa Eitel for leading the department’s records-management migration to CentralSquare.
Following the awards, Council considered Resolution 13-2025, “A resolution acknowledging the appreciation of the citizens and public officials of the City of West Carrollton for services rendered unto said city by Douglas M. Woodard.” Mayor Barnhart read the resolution in full, which documents Woodard’s career progression and lists awards and training credits, and notes his retirement effective March 9, 2025, after 41 years in law enforcement and 37 years with the West Carrollton Police Department.
Councilmember Mrs. Bridal moved to approve the resolution; Mr. Boyle seconded the motion. The motion carried on a recorded vote (see Actions). During the ceremony and the subsequent remarks, Woodard reflected on his time with the department and thanked officers, staff and the public. “This community is truly blessed by the caliber and character of the men and women of this agency,” Woodard said in his remarks, calling his service an honor and expressing confidence in the department’s future leadership.
Councilmembers and staff praised Woodard’s leadership and recognized the work of award recipients and community volunteers. Several councilmembers emphasized the department’s community-policing efforts and the contributions of staff who helped implement new systems.
The resolution also included language finding that the council’s actions complied with Ohio’s open-meetings law, specifically referencing Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 13-2025 was adopted; the awards presented at the ceremony are internal recognitions and do not require further council action.
Doug Woodard will retire on March 9, 2025; the council did not announce a successor at the meeting.
