James R. Pitney Law Enforcement Fund
The James R. Pitney Law Enforcement Fund will carry on what Charles Mill Lake ranger Jim Pitney believed in ever so strongly - education and training for law enforcement personnel. Pitney, 50, died after an accident at Charles Mill Lake Park in December 2002. He spent several years in law enforcement in Ashland and Richland counties and was a Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District ranger following a stellar career in the Air Force.
"Jim was an advocate for strong educational backgrounds for law enforcement personnel," said Dan Mager, MWCD regional park superintendent for Charles Mill and Pleasant Hill lake parks. "He believed not only in a solid education for peace officers, but also in strong continuing education."
It was then that the Pitney Law Enforcement Fund was established to provide training and educational benefits for MWCD rangers and for practicing and prospective peace officers from Ashland and Richland counties. The Pitney Law Enforcement Fund is a component fund of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation, Inc. and will be managed by the MWCF.
Mager said that as the fund grows, organizers believe it could benefit prospective and practicing law enforcement personnel in many ways.
"The major goal we have is to eventually have enough funds to be able to establish a scholarship portion of the fund," Mager said. "Ultimately, we would love to see the fund be able to pay for a qualified recipient's training or a large share of it."
Mager said fund proceeds also could be provided in the form of grants to qualified peace officers planning to attend certified training sessions or gain additional education in specialized areas.
Fundraising events are held each summer at Charles Mill Lake Park to support the James R. Pitney Fund.
Click HERE to donate to the James R. Pitney Fund.
For information about the James R. Pitney Fund, contact the Charles Mill Lake Park office or MWCF by calling (330) 556-4810 or toll-free at (877) 363-8500 extension 2222.
