Seneca County Officials Create Violence Prevention Task Force
(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)
When a November 19, 2025, murder-suicide incident left four people dead, Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff’s Magistrate, Kenneth Clason, knew it was past time to establish a violence task force in the county. He contacted Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens for his input, and Sheriff Stevens agreed. On May 1, representatives from 24 entities gathered at the Seneca County Public Safety Building in Tiffin to establish bylaws of the new Seneca County Violence Prevention Task Force (VPTF).
“I called Sheriff Stevens first and asked, ‘Should we do this?’ and he said, ‘We should have already,’” Magistrate Clason said. “Sheriff Stevens was all for it. He opened up his Rolodex and helped me figure out who we should invite. He played a large part in that.”
The purpose of VPTF is to coordinate community efforts to prevent violence in Seneca County. The bylaws state that the focuses are:
- Promote collaboration among public and private agencies
- Identify gaps in services and recommend improvements
- Support education, prevention, and awareness initiatives
- Encourage data sharing and evidence-based practices
- Advocate for policies that enhance victim safety and offender accountability
“We want to get everyone in the room, open the door of communication…and develop best practices,” Magistrate Clason said at the May 1 meeting.
VPTF quickly transformed into a communitywide effort to reduce violence in Seneca County. Participating members include:
- Sheriff Fredrick Stevens, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office
- Chief David Pauly, Tiffin Police Department
- Chief Gabe Wedge, Fostoria Police Department
- Judge Damon Alt, Seneca County Common Pleas Court I
- Judge Steve Shuff, Seneca County Common Pleas Court II
- Judge Jay Meyer, Seneca County Juvenile Court
- Judge Rhonda Best, Tiffin/Fostoria Municipal Court
- Commissioner Brent Busdeker, Seneca County Commissioners’ Office
- Seneca County Probation Services
- Ohio Adult Parole Authority
- Mircea Handru, Mental Health and Recovery Services Board
- Patchworks House
- Zach Fowler, Tiffin City Law Director
- Seneca County Family & Children First Council
- Seneca County Department of Job & Family Services
- CASA
- Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office
- Defense Bar
- First Step
- Tiffin University
- Heidelberg University
- Mercy Health
- Seneca County General Health District
- Sisters in Shelter
As Seneca County was reeling with shock over the violent death of a father and two children in November, Sheriff Stevens and Magistrate Clason responded with compassion and a drive to add another layer of protection to the county. VPTF members will meet regularly to find ways to increase violence protection, awareness, and education.
A young family left behind people who loved them and a community who mourned them. Thanks to Sheriff Stevens and Magistrate Clason, they also leave behind a legacy of greater protection and support for victims of violence.