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Wintersville Police Chief Arthur Fowler honored, gets new partner

D.A.R.E. AWARD — Wintersville police Chief Arthur Fowler was given special recognition for 15 years plus as a D.A.R.E. officer. He was recognized during the School Resource & D.A.R.E. Officer Conference held June 24 at the Columbus Zoo. Fowler has been a D.A.R.E. officer for 16 years. -- Amy Neeley

WINTERSVILLE — The month of June was busy for Wintersville police Chief Arthur Fowler.

On June 8 his nine-year partner, K-9 officer Ali, officially retired and was replaced by a new officer named Tank, a 16-month-old Belgian malinois.

And on June 15, Fowler was recognized for his work with elder abuse prevention, while on June 24, during the School Resource & D.A.R.E. Officer Conference held at the Columbus Zoo, he received an award for his many years serving as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer.

Fowler noted the department’s newest addition, Tank, was purchased from Tri-State Canine Services in Warren, the same company from which the village’s police department has purchased its past three dogs.

“The quality of dogs and training is second to none,” he said.

The new K-9 officer cost $12,500, and all funds used to purchase Tank were raised through local donations, according to Fowler.

As for Ali, the 10-and-a-half-year-old retired officer, now is spending his days with Fowler’s family full time.

Besides his passion for his K-9 officers, Fowler has a soft spot for the D.A.R.E. program, which he has dedicated 16 years to. As a result, Fowler was recognized at the School Resource & D.A.R.E. Officer Conference for 15 years of service to the program.

As a local D.A.R.E. officer, Fowler runs programs for pupils in grades kindergarten through fourth, ending with a 10-week class for fifth-graders at Indian Creek Middle School. The class covers things like drugs and alcohol prevention, peer pressure and self-esteem, he noted.

“This program is very near and dear to my heart,” Fowler said. “I hear ‘Officer Art’ all the time and it will be someone I had in class 10 years ago. It is a great feeling to hear their success stories.”

In fact, he said he recently hired a former student to be an auxiliary officer in the village.

The D.A.R.E. program helps break down the walls with some children and reach them at an important age, according to Fowler.

“There are two things that I really believe in,” he said. “The golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and be kind. You never know what someone is going through.”

Fowler also said he believes in continuing as a good role model and concerned adult throughout the lives of the children.

“Just because we teach them in fifth grade, our job is not done,” he said.

Fowler is quick to point out that he could not do his job alone.

“I’ve worked with some great teachers, administrators and community leaders for the betterment of our kids,” he said. “And I stress ours.”

Finally, Fowler was surprised with a special award from the Jefferson County Jobs and Family Services’ Adult Protective Unit for Elder Abuse Awarness Day at the Prime Time Center in Steubenville. Fowler serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team on elder abuse prevention for the county. The team, which is made up of members of law enforcement, social services and other concerned adults, meets to discuss and solve cases of elder abuse.

Fowler was recognized for his efforts to stop elder abuse and educating the public about the subject.

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