Bellefontaine Police Department’s newest officer is building on a legacy of service in law enforcement.
Collin Deitsch was sworn in Friday afternoon, Jan. 30, as the city’s newest police officer during a ceremony attended by family, friends, and community members.
Deitsch is the son of Bellefontaine residents Jason and Emily Boy, and Nathan Deitsch.
Jason Boy is a former Bellefontaine Police Department officer and currently serves with the Marysville Police Department.
Boy said he and his family have always emphasized honesty as a core value, particularly as Deitsch begins his career in law enforcement. He noted that police officers often encounter people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, when emotions are high and stress is overwhelming.
“Being a police officer is being a ‘problem solver,’” Boy said. “When you deal with people, they have a problem and they are looking for a solution. As an officer, you are there to help them and provide common-sense solutions to people who are probably having one of their worst days.”
Deitsch is also a cousin of Bailey Ramsey, a deputy with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office.
Mayor David Crissman said he values the opportunity to participate in the swearing-in of police officers and firefighters, noting that, as a former firefighter, the ceremonies underscore the importance of public service.
Deitsch is scheduled to begin training at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in about 10 days. He said he is excited for the next step in his career and understands the academy will be demanding, but feels prepared for the challenge.
The 2023 Bellefontaine High School graduate said his decision to pursue law enforcement is rooted in a desire to make a positive difference, emphasizing kindness, community involvement, and helping shape public perceptions through positive, everyday interactions.
Deitsch described the hiring process as lengthy and rigorous, but said it is necessary to ensure officers possess the character and qualities required to serve effectively.
After completing training, he said he looks forward to building strong relationships within the community. He currently works at a local pharmacy and said his daily interactions with residents have reinforced his desire to serve. He added that growing up around law enforcement and knowing some department personnel has made the transition feel welcoming.
Deitsch, an avid sports fan, played the wide receiver position at Ashland University. During his prep career for the Chieftains, he recorded 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns as a senior, was a two-time second-team All-Central Buckeye Conference selection, helped his team win the 2022 CBC title, and earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and track and field.
As Deitsch prepares to enter the academy, he does so with strong family and community support and a commitment to serve with professionalism and integrity.
Thoughts and perspectives on having a loved one in law enforcement
Emily Boy
As a mom, it’s completely natural to feel many emotions all at once as your son becomes a police officer. I feel immense pride in the man he has become, the values he stands on, and his willingness to serve and protect others—knowing I raised someone brave enough to answer a calling that not everyone can.
At the same time, there is fear and worry. Policing is a demanding and dangerous profession, and a mother’s heart never stops wanting to protect her child, no matter how grown he is. Alongside that fear, there is also gratitude and faith—gratitude for his dedication and trust that God will watch over him, guide his steps, and bring him home safely each day.
I am not just watching my son step into the badge; I have lived this life before. I understand the sacrifices, the long nights, the prayers whispered until the front door opens, and the strength it takes to love someone who runs toward danger when others run away. With that comes wisdom—an understanding of what this career demands—and my role is to prepare my son not only as his mother, but as someone who truly understands the weight of the job.
It also takes strength. I have learned how to trust God, manage fear, and find peace in uncertainty. Those lessons now become something I can pass on by example, not just words. I hold faith that the same God who watched over your husband will watch over your son—faith that love, prayer, and family will remain anchors in a profession that can test the heart.
Nathan Deitsch
I am very proud of Collin for having the sense of responsibility to serve and protect the community he has grown up in. Of course, there is an element of danger that comes with the profession, which, as a parent, is always a concern. Ultimately, however, his willingness to serve will be very rewarding, giving him a strong sense of purpose in his life.
Collin has always had a good sense of fairness and right and wrong, traits that have been part of his personality since he was a child, along with a desire and willingness to look out for others. I am very proud of him and hope his experience is rewarding for both him and our community.
