Rotarians gathered on October 23, 2025, for the annual celebration of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and recognized those who go above and beyond to serve the community and the department. Rotary was incredibly honored to welcome Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey to present this year’s Administrative Excellence Award, Superior Achievement Award, Career Enhancement Award, and Award of Valor.

Superior Achievement Award: Jessica Kober
Sheriff McGuffey recognized Records and Public Records Specialist Jessica Kober for three decades of public service. Kober manages records retention, public-records requests, and redactions with precision and speed. “Within minutes, she has it,” the Sheriff said, describing Kober’s ability to retrieve complex, decades-old documents that keep operations smooth and responsive. Chief of Staff Kevin Horn accepted the award on Kober’s behalf.

Administrative Excellence Award: Amy Kellerman
The Sheriff’s Executive Assistant, Amy Kellerman, received the Administrative Excellence Award for calm, humble leadership behind the scenes. She manages schedules and priorities, and she steps in wherever needed. When a community was not going to receive its weekly food delivery, Kellerman stepped in: “I don’t want these people to go without food,” she told Sheriff McGuffey, personally delivering a weekly food run to an immigrant community. That service-first choice reflects the tone she sets for the office.

Career Enhancement Award: Detective Jared Ruther
Detective Jared Ruther was honored for sustained, high-impact investigative work, including difficult child sexual-abuse cases. The Sheriff praised his integrity and dependability. “He is honest, loyal, and completely dependable,” she said. She also recalled first meeting him as a standout trainee whose commitment to protecting vulnerable children has never wavered.

Award of Valor: Corporal Doug Parton and Deputy Jeremy Spohr
Corporal Doug Parton and Deputy Jeremy Spohr received the Award of Valor for a harrowing vehicle-fire rescue. They arrived to find an unresponsive driver as flames spread inside the car. The door was jammed, so they cut the seatbelt and pulled the victim out through the window while “flames were just above their heads.” They deployed multiple fire extinguishers during the effort. Although the victim later died at the hospital, their courage and focus on preserving life were unequivocal.

Rotary honors these members of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s department and thanks the entire department for their service to the community.