Justice O'Connor Gives Keynote Address at Belmont County Law Enforcement Awards

Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Maureen O'Connor provided the keynote address at the Belmont County Law Enforcement Awards ceremony Nov. 16, 2007, at St. Joseph Central School in Bridgeport.

Drawing from her extensive law enforcement background as a prosecutor and former director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Justice O'Connor spoke about the important role that law enforcement officers play in the justice system.

“We honor a few officers today; however, we all know that everyone who puts on the uniform deserves to be honored and deserves our gratitude for the job they do each and every day,” Justice O'Connor said.

The event, sponsored by the Belmont County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, was attended by more than 100 guests, including many local law enforcement officials.

Justice O'Connor was elected in 2002 as the 148^th Justice on the Supreme Court of Ohio and the seventh woman to serve on the Court. She has experience as a practicing attorney, magistrate, common pleas judge, and prosecuting attorney. In 1998, she was elected as lieutenant governor and was the governor's chief advisor on criminal justice issues, serving as director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and as chair of Ohio's Security Task Force and the State Building Security Review Committee.