CLERMONT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
A. J. Rodenberg, Jr., Sheriff
"Leadership By Example"
Office (513) 732-7500
Press Release
To: All Media
From: A.J. “Tim” Rodenberg, Jr.
Date: September 5, 2007
Re: Rescue
This evening (Wednesday) at about 7:45 p.m. a call was received at the Clermont County 911 communications center reporting an adult male had driven his vehicle into East fork Lake at the Bantam ramp area. Units were dispatched to the scene and one of the first to arrive was Sgt. Jeff Sellars of the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Sellars observed the vehicle in the water and immediately dove in to investigate. He found an adult male handcuffed to the steering wheel. Sgt. Sellars attempted to unlock the cuffs with a handcuff key, but was unsuccessful. Sgt. Sellars then went ashore and retrieved a bolt cutter tool and returned to the vehicle. He then cut the handcuffs from the man and pulled him safely ashore. Initial indications are that the man is OK and will recover. The actions of Sgt. Sellars reflect and illustrate the selflessness of Clermont County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and law enforcement officers elsewhere who are prepared and willing to risk their own safety for the benefit of the citizens they serve. Since East fork Lake is State of Ohio property, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Post #13, Batavia is leading the investigation of this incident. Their phone # is (513) 732-1510.