ASHLAND — One longtime Ashland County sheriff deputy is taking an early retirement, while two others have resigned to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The trio — chief deputy David Blake, deputies Joe Coffey and Cody Mager — gathered at the office’s annex Wednesday for a going-away ceremony. They were joined by colleagues from Ashland police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol posts in Ashland and Wooster.
Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider said the three officers have nearly 80 years of experience between them.
“We’re gonna miss them,” Schneider said. “They’ve done a great job for county, they’ve done a great job for the agency. I wish them all the best in the endeavors of their life.”
‘I like a good challenge’
Blake is leaving after 47 years with the office to lead Richland County’s jail following Richland County Jail Administrator Chris Blunk’s resignation.
Blake started at the sheriff’s office as a civilian dispatcher in 1978. He graduated from the peace officer academy in 1980, when he began working in the jail there.
In 2021, former Ashland County Sheriff Wayne Risner hired him as chief deputy, an administrative role and essentially Risner’s number two.
Blake is 65. He plans to retire in one year, once his wife becomes eligible for medicaid and medicare.
The opportunity, he said, came together quickly.
“They called me last week and told me ‘we’re in trouble over here, will you help us?’ he said. “Well, I like a good challenge.”
Blunk submitted his resignation letter on March 31, according to Richland County Sheriff Capt. James Sweat.
It becomes effective Sept. 8. He will use PTO through that effective date, Sweat said.
Blake will earn an annual salary of $103,563.20 at his new gig, said Maj. Joe Masi of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
Mager & Coffey
Mager, 41, is retiring. He’s worked for the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years.
The U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient said the decision to retire early stems from injuries he received while serving in Iraq.
“My body’s taken a beating,” he said.
The Ashland County native who now lives in Milton Township hopes to work part time.
Coffey, 34, secured a job with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. He starts with the office’s road patrol on April 12.
Coffey said his brother, James Coffey, works as a police officer with the Mount Vernon Police Department.
“So that might have motivated me to accept,” he said. “I hope I get to work with him on occasion.”
Restructuring
Schneider said he will not be filling Blake’s role. The other positions, however, have already been posted, he said.
The sheriff said Blake’s administrative responsibilities will be divided among himself and Capt. Randy Wood.
“(Wood) will still keep his duties,” Schneider said. “But we’ll be training him on Blake’s roles just so that there are two people in the building who know each other’s jobs.
“In my absence, he’ll know and learn to fill in when I’m gone on vacation, training, in meetings, or whatever.”