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Strafford County recognizes Peace Officers Memorial; Deputy Joseph Russo wins Charles H. Smith award
Summary
County officials noted flags at half‑staff for Peace Officers Memorial events, sent representatives to the memorial in Concord and awarded the Charles H. Smith Memorial Award to Deputy Joseph Russo and a civilian award to Kelly Parker.
County officials used the meeting to recognize Peace Officers Memorial events and announce internal awards to county employees.
The sheriff told commissioners that county flags were at half‑staff and that Chief Deputy Party and Deputy Griffin were traveling to the police memorial in Concord to represent the sheriff’s office. The sheriff noted that the county’s first line‑of‑duty death in New Hampshire was Charles H. Smith in 1891 and said the office presents a Charles H. Smith Memorial Award to a deputy who exemplifies that dedication. This year the award went to Deputy Joseph Russo, identified in the meeting as the county’s ICAC and cyber investigator; the sheriff said Russo was attending federally funded training in Alabama at the time of the meeting.
The county also presented a civilian award to Kelly Parker, and commissioners offered congratulations. A commissioner added a historical note about another fallen officer, Louie Sheets of Farmington and Strafford County, who was killed in February 1969 in Washington. The recognition and awards were framed as remembrance and appreciation; no policy changes or additional actions were tied to the presentation.
