'Top Cop' named: Kellermann unanimous choice by peers

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by Emily Canning-Dean

Reporter

Bedford -- Bedford police officer Paul Kellermann was named 2007 Top Cop for the Bedford Police Department in January at the annual safety forces appreciation dinner sponsored by the Bedford Fraternal Order of Eagles.

According to Police Chief Greg Duber, Kellermann was the unanimous choice by his peers.

"He made several good arrests throughout the year," Duber said. "Three of them included the breaking and entering of homes."

In each case he had to chase the suspects when they tried to run, Duber said.

They might have thought twice about running from him if they had known that he finished a 1.5-mile run, which all officers take as part of their annual physical, in about 11-and-a-half minutes.

Kellermann, though, chalks it up to teamwork and luck.

"I was often in the right place at the right time," he said. "I also had the help of other staff quickly alerting me about a suspect."

Kellermann has been on the Bedford police force for more than seven years.

Kellermann said he didn't always want to be a police officer.

"I started out in sales," he said. "Bedford is the only police department I have worked for."

In addition, Kellermann also serves as a member of the department's crime prevention unit, going out into the community to give presentations on safety and crime prevention tips.

He is also one of four field training officers responsible for preparing and training the new officers who join the department.

In 2007, he assisted in the training of four new patrolmen to the department.

Besides being recognized as the department's officer of the year, he was also presented with the department's Combat Cross for his leadership role in a shooting incident in June.

The incident involved a 21-year-old Bedford man who shot at police with a shotgun after an hour-long standoff. Police returned fire, resulting in the man's death.

Kellermann is a graduate of St. Peter Chanel High School.

He and wife, Lisa, have two daughters.

E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3166