Columbus Blue Jackets Hold Law Enforcement Appreciation Night

On Tuesday, November 4, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund held a special Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at Nationwide Arena. Unfortunately the Blue Jackets lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2, but it was still a great night for hockey.

Ohio State Highway Patrol presenting the colors
before the game.

This is the Blue Jackets first Law Enforcement Appreciation Night, and was held to honor the service and sacrifice of Ohio’s law enforcement officers. The night also honored two local law enforcement officers who have gone beyond the call of duty in serving their communities: Lieutenant Karl Barth of the Columbus (OH) Division of Police and Ohio Director of Public Safety (ret.) Thomas Charles.

Lieutenant Barth has been serving his community as a motorcycle officer since 1960 and has been with the department longer than anyone else, having served for 54 years. He has managed the motorcades of every President visiting Columbus since President Kennedy. In a 2011 article from the Columbus Dispatch, Lieutenant Barth stated that he has “no plans yet to retire.” You can read the article here.

Lieutenant Barth and Director Charlies wearing their
new personalized jerseys.

Director Charles began his career as an Ohio State Trooper in 1963, rising through the ranks to Lt. Colonel. He served as the Assistant Superintendent for the Ohio State Highway Patrol before he retired from law enforcement. Director Charles then served as State Inspector for three Ohio governors before he was appointed the Director of Public Safety in 2011. At his retirement last year, Governor John Kasich said, “No single Ohioan has done so much to keep Ohioans safe and enforce the law as Tom Charles." Director Charles will be honored next week with an addition of the Ohio State Patrol Academy being named, The Thomas P. Charles Leadership Wing.

Before the game, the Ohio State High Patrol presented the honor guard to large and supportive crowd. Lieutenant Barth and Director Charles were then honored on the arena and were presented with personalized team jerseys.

A special Thanks to the Ohio State Highway Patrol for supporting the event, along with Columbus Blue Jacket’s Group Sales Specialist Steve Jix, and Memorial Fund Ambassador Bill Swank for organizing the event.