NEWARK, Ohio—Aaron Reimer, a deacon at Bible Baptist, Newark, Ohio, was recently recognized nationally by Parade magazine and the International Association of Chiefs of Police as one of their 2008 Hero Cops. He is the son of Pastor Paul and Debra Reimer of Bible Baptist Church and a 10-year veteran of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The Police Service Awards were established by Parade and the IACP in 1966 to focus attention on the dedicated men and women of our nation’s police force. The awards are given for specific acts of valor, consistent service above and beyond the call of duty, development of innovative programs, and significant service to the community apart from police work. Reimer received the award at a ceremony in San Diego during the annual conference of the IACP.
To battle alarming statistics that show motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans ages 1–34, and that approximately 30 percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash during their lives, Trooper Reimer launched an innovative project geared toward high school students. With the help of the 4-H Club’s Car Teens and the Ohio State University Extension Office, Reimer teaches basic driving techniques, defensive driving, and vehicle dynamics. He lets teens try “fatal vision goggles,” which distort perception similar to alcohol. He has also created a gallery of graphic crash photos aimed to scare teens away from drinking and driving. His 30-minute programs are now used in schools, driver education, and alcohol prevention programs throughout Ohio.
