MOUNT VERNON — Sgt. Nicholas “Nick” Myrda and Dena Hess received awards at the 2025 Law Enforcement Training Symposium in Sandusky Sept. 28 to 30.
Myrda received the Ohio Blue Line Award. He is a 10-year veteran of the Mount Vernon Police Department.
Hess is the manager of The Woodward Opera House. She received the Victoria Allen Civilian Leadership Award.
The Blue Line Award honors law enforcement officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication, courage, and service to their communities.
“Sgt. Myrda exemplifies the very best of community policing. His leadership, compassion, and dedication to service have strengthened trust between our department and the people we serve,” said Assistant Police Chief Andrew Burns.
Myrda was recognized for his leadership as supervisor of the MVPD’s Community Division. He has spearheaded initiatives such as Police and Kids (PAK) United, Safety Town, and the department’s newly formed Citizen Police Academy.
‘That’s who he is’
Heather Barbour, a physical education teacher for Mount Vernon City Schools, worked with Myrda to launch the Safety Town program. She said he “jumped on it right away.”
“He not only helped build the structures but worked closely with us on how to teach the students and what lessons to include,” she said.
Barbour said when her mother-in-law died, she and her husband did not know what to do with some medical equipment.
“My husband and I thought of calling Nick. He came right over; he even brought his kids and tools to help. That’s just who he is,” Barbour said.
Myrda received the “A Heart for Serving Others” Award in 2023 and a Life Saving Commendation in 2017.
Click here to see a video produced for the award presentation.
A visionary role
The Victoria Allen Civilian Award recognizes Ohio civilians who significantly strengthened the bond between law enforcement and the communities they serve through leadership and commitment.
Hess was honored for her visionary role in developing programs, events, and partnerships that have transformed public engagement with the MVPD.
Her contributions include co-founding PAK United and designing its widely recognized logo that symbolizes unity between officers and youth. Community leaders praise the logo, and organizations such as Thin Blue Line USA have spotlighted it.
Burns nominated Hess for the award.
“Dena has a unique ability to connect people and build trust,” he said. “Her work has not only brought law enforcement and our community closer together, but it has created lasting programs that impact youth, families, and officers alike.”
Paul McNeal, assistant athletic director at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, said no one epitomizes community more than Hess.
“When we helped launch Police and Kids United, the goal was to show youth a different side of first responders,” McNeal said. “Fishing together, playing dodge ball, spending time outside rather than only seeing them when a parent or sibling is in trouble.
“Dena has taken that vision by the reins and built it into a thriving program, from archery events to movies at the Woodward. If I had to use one word to describe her, it would be community.”
Civic leadership and contributions
Hess is the primary organizer of the MVPD’s annual banquet and leads the annual multi-agency Heroes Softball Tournament.
She organized a benefit concert at The Woodward Opera House to raise funds, along with Arms of An Angel, for the department’s K-9 program.
As Rotary Club president, Hess spearheaded service projects that benefited military personnel and first responders. She received the Mount Vernon Volunteer of the Year award in 2023.
Knox County Commissioner Barry Lester serves on the Woodward Development Corp. board.
“Her exceptional dedication to historic preservation, community programming, and support for public safety partnerships has made a lasting impact not only on our organization but also on the greater Mount Vernon and Knox County communities,” Lester said.
“She exemplifies the spirit of civilian leadership and community service that the Victoria Allen Award is designed to recognize.”
Click here to see a video created for the awards presentation.
