By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Scott Davis wanted to live up to his family’s history of law enforcement service. In a bittersweet moment, he gave his oath to be a Bucyrus police officer Monday morning in front of his family and friends. Davis’ grandfather Clyde Davis, a fifteen-year veteran of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, was missing from the ceremony. He had died exactly two weeks to the day of the younger Davis’ oath.
Many believed, however, that Clyde Davis was watching over his grandson for the special occasion.
“I just have this feeling that your grandfather is here today and is very proud,” Mayor Roger Moore said in a solemn moment before leading Davis in his oath.
“Scott comes from a great family with great law enforcement service to the Bucyrus community and Crawford County,” said Bucyrus Police Chief Dave Koepke, who had worked with Davis’ father and uncle. “I’m sure this means a lot to the Davis family that Scott’s here today and it’s a great accomplishment in Scott’s life.”
“He’s got a long career ahead of him,” Koepke added.
“Here in Bucyrus,” Mayor Roger Moore interjected to a round of chuckles, not afraid to lay claim to Davis before Galion Police Chief Brian Saterfield, who was in attendance and whose daughter is dating Davis, could steal him away.
“Everybody that knows me, my family knows how important this line of work is to me. I feel that I have a good reputation to live up to and I’m going to do my best to live up to that and do a good job here for the city,” Davis stated.
After Davis’ oath, his father Rick Davis, a twenty-eight-year-old veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, and his grandmother presented him with his badge.
“I’m very proud of him and glad to see him continue in law enforcement,” Davis’ grandmother, Winona Davis said.
She was thrilled to be able to present Davis with his badge. Winona Davis’ voice got a bit rough and her eyes filled with tears as she choked over the next words. “I’m sure Grandpa was watching.”
“It’s a little bit of pressure (to carry on the tradition) but not in a bad way,” Davis said. He knew his father, uncle and grandfather made a good name for the Davis family in the county with their years of service. “If I can just live up to that, I think I’ll be ok.”
Davis was a 2010 graduate of Galion High School.