11/4/99

Editors: A photo of George Anderson is available at: http://cscwww.cats.ohiou.edu/news/pix/Anderson__George.JPG.

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University Patrolman George Anderson has been selected as Ohio Law Officer of the Year by the American Legion. Chosen from candidates nominated by Ohio law enforcement agencies, each candidate must demonstrate community involvement, arrests, investigations and departmental participation.

A patrolman at the university since 1992, Anderson is also responsible for investigating computer crimes. He has participated in several major investigations of campus crime and was chosen by the Ohio University Police Department as Officer of the Year in 1995. He is one of a select group of officers accredited to train new university police officers.

Director of Campus Safety Ted Jones said Anderson is very professional and motivated by public service. "He is very professional and has demonstrated a strong sense of commitment to the university, his profession and community," Jones said. "His motivation for becoming a police officer is the same as his motivation for remaining in our profession -- an opportunity to help people and make our community and society a better place."

Anderson is very involved in his community, driving people to church and using his vacation time to travel to Mexico to build homes and churches.

"I like being able to help people and that is the best part of this job," Anderson said. "I would rather be able to help someone than have to arrest someone."

Anderson served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1984 to 1992. He was awarded Marine of the Month and Marine of the Quarter awards.