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Akron Police Detective Gary Shadie receives 6th Annual
Lt. John “Ed” Duvall Jr. Detective of the Year Award
Published: October 17, 2013
AKRON––Detective Gary Shadie of the Akron Police Department has been named the recipient of the 6th Annual Lt. John “Ed” Duvall Jr. Detective of the Year Award in recognition of his “tenacity, commitment and integrity in serving the families and children of Summit County.” He received the award at a ceremony held Oct. 4 at Summit County Children Services.
Another special award, the Duvall Outstanding Service Award, was also presented to Barb Duvall, LPN, who recently retired from the CARE Center of Akron Children's Hospital, in recognition of her career of similar commitment and service to the families and children of Summit County.
The Duvall award, established in 2008 through a partnership of Summit County Children Services, the Akron Police Department and the CARE Center of Akron Children’s Hospital, honors the memory of the late Lt. John “Ed” Duvall – who, while with the Akron Police Department, was both relentless in his investigations of child abuse cases and deeply committed to speaking out about child abuse prevention.
The first award was presented posthumously to Lt. “Ed” Duvall. Other recipients have been Detective Shannon Davis of the Barberton Police Department, Sgt. Brian Harding of the Akron Police Department, Officer Vito Sinopoli of the Bath Township Police Department and Deputy Jeffery A. Irwin of the Northern District of Ohio U.S. Marshals Service.
Detective Shadie joined the Akron Police Department in 1989 and has worked in a variety of units, including the Patrol Sub-division, the Street Narcotics Uniform Detail and the Juvenile/Auto Theft/Missing Persons Unit. He was the recipient of the 1992 Ohio Friend of Education Award (along with several fellow officers), received the 2002 Optimist Police Officer of the Year Award, and was presented the Summit County Prosecutor's "Top Cop" award in June 2009.
According to his nomination, "He is committed to helping children of Summit County in his work as well as in his personal life. He has shown tenacity, commitment and integrity while investigating and responding to situations of abuse and neglect for the past 13 years.
Outside of work, Detective Shadie has assisted with the Christmas Gift Program for years, helping underprivileged children during the holiday season. Also, Detective Shadie has mentored young men and coached football for Garfield High School. His coaching has enabled him to mentor young men well into their adult lives. Detective Shadie is well respected by the community, which helps immensely in his case investigations."
Barb Duvall (no relation to Lt. John 'Ed' Duvall) retired after 35 years of service at Akron Children's Hospital. She worked in various departments, most recently in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the CARE Center.
During her career, Duvall was recognized as "LPN of the Year" for the Hospital in 2009 and was awarded "LPN of the Month" twice for the Department of Pediatrics.
According to her nomination, "Despite the fact that Ms. Duvall made it known that was not interested in public speaking, she gave numerous presentations to Radiology students, parent groups, nursing and medical staff and social workers. Ms. Duvall coordinated two physical moves of the CARE Center, consulted with police officers and social workers about children being seen by physicians, assisted with hundreds of medical evaluations, and helped to coordinate the annual Lt. John "Ed" Duvall, Jr. Detective of the Year Award. Ms. Duvall is a dedicated and committed professional who exhibits understanding and compassion for the children and families of this community."