Specialty Teams

The Ashland County Sheriff Office houses several Specialty Teams. Look below to learn more, or click a button to jump to a team’s information.

There are six members on the Ashland County Bomb Squad.  The squad is on call 24 hours a day – 7 days a week.  The bomb squad serves Ashland, Knox and Richland Counties and has also been called to assist Crawford and Marion Counties. We currently have 2 robots that we have obtained through grants to assist with these calls.

In 2007, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office became the 19th FBI certified Bomb Squad in the State of Ohio.  In order to obtain this certification, all members of the squad must be certified hazmat technicians.  We currently have two certified bomb technicians.  To obtain this certification, a member must attend a rigorous six-week FBI Bomb Technician’s School in Huntsville, Alabama and then in order to maintain that certification they must take classes on updates and new information annually.

The Bomb Squad handles an average of 35 to 40 calls per year.  These calls range from threats, suspicious packages, improvised explosive devices, fireworks and ammunition/powder recovery.   The Bomb Squad has been activated by local SWAT/SRT teams to utilize the robot during standoff situations.  

The squad trains diligently to ensure a safe and rapid response to any situation and to stay current on all new potential threats that may occur.

Anyone interested in having the Bomb Squad do a demonstration or interested in finding out more about this special team can contact Sgt. Josh Early , bomb team commander, at jearly@ashlandcountysheriff.org.

The Dive and Rescue Team is responsible for searching for drowned persons and recovering items and evidence underwater. The Dive and Rescue Team is composed of seven members from the Sheriff’s Office and one member from the Ashland City Fire Department.  All officers are trained to the level of Dive Rescue Specialist 1, with two members being trained as Dive Rescue Specialist 2. The Dive and Rescue Team also has one unit trained as an Underwater Crime Scene Investigator.

The Dive and Rescue Team also has personnel trained to affect ice rescues and swift water rescues. The Dive and Rescue Team also conducts Ice Rescue Training throughout the county to local fire departments.

Over the last several years, the Sheriff's Office Dive and Rescue Team has recovered stolen guns, vehicles and other items as well as drowning victims. The Sheriff's Office Dive and Rescue Team takes great pride in their abilities and accomplishments.  Their work is very dangerous. The Dive Team operates with little or no knowledge of what is under the water.  Information provided by witnesses is often sketchy or distorted. The Dive and Rescue Team usually experiences very poor visibility in most of the bodies of water in the county.

The Dive and Rescue Team is under the direct command of Detective Mark Jump.

Dep. dUEWEL & K-9 Oz

SGT. Neff & K-9 Luka

Sgt. Neff started at the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office in April 2015. He began his career as a part-time special deputy then moved to the corrections division and is currently in the enforcement division. Sgt. Neff is also a certified diver for the Ashland County Dive Team. He is married to his wife, Sadie and they have two children. Sgt. Neff enjoys spending time with family, hunting, riding four wheelers and playing with his dogs. He began as a K-9 handler in October 2018 with his K-9, Luka. K-9 Luka is a multi-colored German shepherd from Czech Republic who was born on March 15, 2017. He is trained in narcotics detection, building searches, tracking and criminal apprehension. You can see K-9 Luka and his handler, Sgt. Neff, out on the road on 1st shift. 

Det. Kinter & K-9 Marko

Det. Kinter started at the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office in June 2014. He began his career as a special deputy and was hired full time in April 2015 as the deputy of Perrysville. Det. Kinter is currently assigned to the detective bureau. He is also a field training officer and a member of the Ashland County Dive Team. In his free time, Det. Kinter enjoys playing sports, golf, working on cars and carpentry. He began as a K-9 handler in October 2018 with his K-9, Marko. K-9 Marko is a black German shepherd from Czech Republic who was born on June 17, 2017. He is trained in narcotics detection, building searches, tracking and criminal apprehension. You can see K-9 Marko and his handler, Det. Kinter out on the road on 1st shift.

Dep. Hall & K-9 Dani

DEP. WENRICH & K-9 ZEUS

Deputy Wenrich joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2017 after serving four years on active duty in the Marine Corps. He started as a corrections officer in 2017. In September of 2020, he completed the Police Academy to become an OPOTA certified deputy. He was transferred to the enforcement division in 2021. Deputy Wenrich applied to be a K-9 handler and was assigned Zeus in December, 2022. K-9 Zeus is a four-year-old German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix from Poland. Together, they completed their certifications in April of 2023. K-9 Zeus is a dual-purpose working dog. He is certified in narcotics, apprehension, handler protection, and tracking. Deputy Wenrich and Zeus are currently assigned to day shift.

Deputy Angie Hamilton serves as Black River Schools Resource Officer and D.A.R.E. Program Instructor

Deputy Angie Hamilton joined the Sheriff's Office in May of 1997. During her career, she has worked in the Communications, Enforcement and Administration divisions. She was assigned duties as the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer in 2002 and as a S.R.O. (School Resource Officer) in 2007.  Deputy Hamilton has taught the D.A.R.E. program in Mapleton, Hillsdale, Loudonville and Black River Local School Districts.  Beginning in December of 2011, Deputy Hamilton became the S.R.O. and D.AR.E. Officer for Black River Schools.  She is also an A.L.I.C.E (Active Shooter) training instructor. Deputy Hamilton is a member of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, D.A.R.E. Ohio Executive Committee Member, The Christ Community Evangelical Free Church and the Ashland County Republican Women's Club.  She is married to retired Captain Terry Hamilton. Her hobbies include being with family, traveling, horseback riding, shopping, and scrapbooking.

Deputy Brian Martin serves as Hillsdale Schools Resource Officer and D.A.R.E. Program Instructor 

Deputy Brian Martin joined the Ashland County Sheriff's Office in January of 2001. During his career, he has worked in the Corrections and Enforcement Divisions. In June of 2018 he was assigned to the Hillsdale Local School District as the S.R.O. (School Resource Officer).  He recently became a certified D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor and an A.L.I.C.E (Active Shooter) training instructor.  He is currently the Assistant C.E.R.T. (Corrections Emergency Response Team) Commander.  Deputy Martin is a member of the Presbyterian Church in Perrysville, Ohio.  He is married to his wife Kelly Newcomer-Martin and has 2 daughters. His hobbies are watching his daughters' sporting events, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. 

Deputy Brandon Hendrix serves as Mapleton’s School Resource Officer and D.A.R.E. Program Instructor

Deputy Brandon Hendrix joined the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office in August of 2015. He began his career as a part-time special deputy and became a full-time Corrections Officer in June of 2016. In June of 2020 he moved to the Enforcement Division where he was assigned to Mapleton Local School District as the SRO (School Resource Officer) and a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) certified instructor. Deputy Hendrix is married, and he and his wife have a daughter. He is an outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, fishing, demolition derbies and spending time with family.

Deputy Shelby Hammond serves as ACCA’s School Resource Officer and D.A.R.E. Program Instructor

Deputy Shelby Hammond joined the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office in October of 2019. She began her career as a full-time Corrections Officer where she later became an FTO (Field Training Officer). In July of 2022 she was moved to the Enforcement Division where she was assigned to ACCA as the SRO (School Resource Officer) and a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) certified instructor. Deputy Hammond is engaged, and has 3 dogs. In her free time she likes to volunteer at animal shelters, swim, kayak and play with my dogs.

Deputy Joe Fulton serves as ACWH Career Center’s School Resource Officer and D.A.R.E. Program Instructor

Deputy Joe Fulton joined the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office in September of 2005. He began his career as a full-time Corrections Officer where he worked for 8 years. In January of 2013 he was moved to the Enforcement Division. Dep. Fulton worked in the Enforcement Division until he was promoted to SRO in August of 2022. He is currently the assigned as the SRO (School Resource Officer) and a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) certified instructor at the ACWH Career Center.