Cited for work in rescue efforts following Afghanistan attack

CHESAPEAKE — The new police chief for the village of Chesapeake was honored on Dec. 2 by the United States Department of State for his heroism abroad.

Randy Lewis, who was hired to helm the village’s police force in September and has been on the job for one month, worked as a police advisor in Iraq and Afghanistan for six years, Mayor Tommy Templeton said.

“There was an explosion at his base, and he received the award for his heroism,” Templeton said. “For his taking part in rescues and protecting the camp.”

The Award for Heroism was given to Lewis, along with 24 others, in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on Camp Sullivan in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“It has John Kerry’s signature on it,” Templeton said of the U.S. secretary of state, who cited Lewis and the other men for their part in rescue efforts, augmenting security and directing recovery operations.
Lewis, who formerly resided in the Columbus area, has 23 years experience in law enforcement, mostly in central Ohio.

As a police advisor in the Middle East, Lewis trained with Army and Marines in both Iraq and Afghanistan and worked on embassy security detail in Kabul.

Lewis is serving as the Chesapeake’s interim chief, pending the outcome of an appeal by former chief Dennis Gibson, who was removed from the job by village council in April.

Templeton announced Lewis’ honor to council at their Dec. 5 meeting.