Top St. C. dispatcher, trooper recognized
Trending
ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- When you're having an emergency it means a lot to have a friendly voice on the other end of the phone line or a kind and helping hand offered to you at the scene of an accident.
These are the actions Melissa Rath and Rocky Hise try to exhibit on a daily basis while doing their jobs as Ohio State Highway Patrol dispatcher and trooper, respectively.
This also is why Rath was selected as the Cambridge District and St. Clairsville Dispatch Center Dispatcher of the Year, and why Hise was selected St. Clairsville Post and Cambridge District Trooper of the Year.
The duo on Tuesday said they were surprised and honored to receive the awards. They, along with others, first were nominated by their peers and then had to go through an interview process at the state level before being chosen.
Hise said during his 15-year career as a trooper one incident that comes to mind was when a woman was traveling the wrong way on Ohio 7. She was intoxicated at the time, he said.
"I was able to get her stopped before she got hurt or killed," Hise said. "It's been a number of years ago. I hope nothing but the best for her and hope that she got the help she needed and got straightened up. That's all the matters."
Ultimately, Hise said his goal not only as a trooper but as a parent is to make the world a safer place.
"That's why I do this job, for my kids. I want to do my part, however small or slight, so that they grow up in a world that is a little bit safer," he said. "As parents that's all we want for our kids is to have them grow up in a world that is safer than what we have."
Rath remembers one call that involved a man who was suicidal and hiding in the woods. The man initially called his father for help on his cell phone.
"We were able to ping his cell phone on the GPS and it took troopers right to him in the woods," Rath said.
The man was taken to a hospital and received the help he needed, Hise added.
For many years, Hise and Rath both worked the night shift together. Hise appreciates the tough job dispatchers have.
"Dispatchers deal with the side of society a majority of the public doesn't want to admit exists," he said. "They deal with so many phone calls and complaints, and they have to treat everyone the same: with professionalism, with dignity, with kindness. They, in essence, are not only the lifeline over the phone, but they're our lifeline over the radio. Without good dispatchers like Melissa, we would be unable to do our jobs correctly and it would be a nightmare."
Rath noted troopers often make a positive impact on the public. She often fields calls from those wanting to say "thank you" to a trooper for their help or sometimes for an arrest, which led to that person getting sober or turning their life around. Rath added she was surprised to receive the award.
"We have a lot of good dispatchers who work there," she said. "We're a really good team together. I'm very honored they chose me."
Hise noted he tries to treat everyone as he would like to be treated.
"Even if you arrest somebody you can still treat them with respect and dignity," Hise said. "There's nothing greater than that."
According to information provided by the post, "the selection of Melissa, 34, is in recognition of outstanding service during 2017 at the St. Clairsville Dispatch Center as a dispatcher. Post Management and dispatchers/communications technicians chose Melissa based on technical job knowledge and ability, enthusiastic work attitude, teamwork, and prompt and courteous response to the public's requests for information and assistance.
"Dispatcher Rath, 35, joined the Highway Patrol in 2009 as a dispatcher assigned to the St. Clairsville Dispatch Center. She currently serves at this facility. Originally from Rayland and a 2001 graduate of Steubenville Catholic Central. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Dispatcher Rath dispatched for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. Dispatcher Rath has previously been selected as the St. Clairsville Dispatch Center Dispatcher of the Year in 2012 and 2015. She was also the Cambridge District Award winner in 2012.
"Dispatcher Rath and husband, Sean Rath, reside in Rayland with their two daughters: Payton, 8 and Karysn, 5."
According to information provided by the post, "the selection of Trooper Hise is in recognition of outstanding service during 2017 at the St. Clairsville Post. Fellow troopers stationed at the St. Clairsville Post chose Trooper Hise based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude and cooperation with supervisors, peers, and the public. Trooper Hise is now in contention for the State Trooper of the Year Award to be announced on February 16, 2018.
"Trooper Hise joined the Highway Patrol in 2004 and has served at the Athens Post and Saint Clairsville Post. Originally from Monroe County and a graduate of Monroe Central High School, Trooper Hise resides in St. Clairsville with his wife, Julia Anna, and their four children."