Top Correction Officer Named at Annual Ceremony

(Columbus) –Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) Director Terry J. Collins was joined today by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton and OCSEA President Eddie Parks at the Reginald A. Wilkinson Corrections Training Academy for DRC’s annual Correction Officer of the Year Ceremony. A Correction Officer from each of Ohio’s 30 state-operated prisons, along with their family members, friends and DRC staff, were present for the announcement of Ohio’s top Correction Officer and recipient of the prestigious Ronald C. Marshall Award.

Correction Officer Ralph Lloyd was announced as DRC’s 2009 CO of the Year. Officer Lloyd has been at the Lorain Correctional Institution (LorCI) since 1994. Since beginning his career, Officer Lloyd has made many significant contributions to the facility. He participated in the creation of the Hispanic Heritage Committee and organized a Hispanic Heritage Luncheon during which he coordinated and directed staff volunteers in feeding over 300 employees. Officer Lloyd is the Chief Hostage Negotiator at LorCI and the Region 2 HNT Assistant Commander. During the course of his career, Officer Lloyd has matured into a leader and his “do the right thing” attitude is a positive example for his fellow Officers. Officer Lloyd is also the Vice President of the Lorain Chapter of the Pride Motorcycle Club, a group dedicated to raising money for Officers who are facing difficult times. Recently they donated $650 to the family of an Officer from Grafton Correctional Institution who had been diagnosed with cancer.

“Officer Lloyd exemplifies the qualities that I encourage in our employees,” stated DRC Director Terry J. Collins. “He not only contributes to our mission as an agency, but he also makes considerable contributions to his community. He certainly lives up to our mantra: I LEAD – Integrity, Leadership, Excellence, Accountability and Diversity.”

For more information, please contact the DRC Public Information Office at (614) 752-1150 or Brande Harris, Public Information Officer at the Lorain Correctional Institution, at (440) 748-1049.