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Delaware County honors retiring school resource officer Deputy Douglas Simila
Summary
At its May 19 meeting the Delaware County Board of Commissioners honored Deputy Douglas Simila for about 30 years of service and approved the sale of county personal property to him as a retirement gift.
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on May 19 recognized Deputy Douglas Simila at a public meeting and approved a resolution authorizing sale of county personal property to him on the occasion of his retirement.
Simila, a school resource officer who joined the Delaware County Sheriff's Office in March 1998, was praised by county and law-enforcement officials for long service to children and the community.
Sheriff Jeff Pallser introduced Simila and summarized his career: "Doug truly found his calling, and for over the next 25 years, instructed great kindergarten to 12." Pallser recounted an incident in which a child who had been taught safety by Simila reported finding a firearm and did not touch it, saying the child's response was "one of the certainties of many life changing impacts Doug has made." Chair Foster added, "You can't replace a man like Deputy Doug," paraphrasing a line he attributed to the film Remember the Titans.
Simila spoke briefly at the meeting: "It's truly been an honor serving here," and described combining his interests in policing and education by working in schools and teaching safety topics such as gun, water and bike safety as well as drug and alcohol classes. Commissioners and staff noted Simila's long relationships with local schools, including Olentangy, and his plans to spend time with family and pursue personal interests in retirement.
The board approved Resolution No. 25-366, "in the matter of declaring county personal property not needed for public use and authorizing the sale of personal property to deputy Douglas Simila on the occasion of his retirement." The motion carried with Commissioners Gary Merrill and Jeff Benton voting yes; Commissioner Barb Lewis was recorded as absent. The board also agreed to take photographs and present the property as a token of appreciation.
The meeting record shows the commissioners' recognition and the formal sale authorization; no further policy or personnel action was taken at that time.
