Representing with Honor
What does it mean to be one of the best? It’s a simple question that is void of a simple answer. In fact, the answer can be so elusive that it often lies in the eye of the beholder. However, when it comes to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s (ODRC) Officer of the Year, we set out in search for that answer.
That search led us to Trumbull Correctional Institution, where the ODRC’s 2016 Employee of the Year carries out his duties.
Walking through the compound with Officer Mark Tucker, the department’s awarded officer, much quickly became evident. The grounds were well kept, the staff were friendly and expectations were high — whether you were an employee or an offender.
Yet as we continued to walk around, there was a strong constant regardless of which building we entered or which employee we stopped to talk with — Officer Tucker is extremely beloved. He was greeted warmly by his colleagues, praised by his superiors and respected by the offenders.
Even as we walked around, Officer Tucker was the first to lend a helping hand with a project or simply holding open a door. He wasted no time greeting those who passed by, and was the recipient of more hugs and handshakes from his colleagues than we could count.
“I have worked alongside of Mark Tucker for almost 20 years — and it has been an honor and privilege for me,” said TCI Captain Eric Jamieson. “To work alongside of Mark is twofold. No matter what mood you come to work in, his sense of humor has you laughing every day that you work with Mark. The other side of the coin, Mark can be depended on when it comes down to business. He handles situations that occur in a professional manner that does not escalates a situation. ‘Tuck’, as he in known by, is like having a supervisor on the yard. I will put it bluntly, I would have enough faith and trust in Tuck as that I would trust my life, to decision he makes.”
But the praise for Officer Tucker didn’t stop there.
“First I would like to say that it is an absolute pleasure to work with Officer Tucker,” explained Officer Dara Scott. “I have worked with him for 13 years and he has remained the same from the first day he introduced himself to me. He goes out of his way to help and also to make us (females especially) feel safe. I never doubt that he has my back.”
SRT Leader Officer Michael Taggert described Tucker as “a positive influence — smiles, shakes your hand and has a kind word for everyone in the room. You have the feeling everyone’s going home safe and that it will be a good day when you work with him. As the SRT assistant leader, he is invaluable — I could not be in the position I am without his help and leadership.”
The accolades we received about Officer Tucker could fill numerous pages. However, by simply talking to him, what you leave most impressed by is his unassuming and humble demeanor. Being awarded the Officer of the Year is a great honor for Officer Tucker. And every time we asked him to discuss that award, he immediately praised those around him.
“I wouldn’t be here without the great work and support of my colleagues,” Tucker shared. “We have a great group of people here at [TCI] — we are like a family and we have each other’s back.”
For Tucker, this award is as much about his fellow co-workers as it is about him.
“It was an honor to be nominated and given this honor, and also to represent the amazing men and women of TCI as I am inspired daily by their hard work and professionalism.”
The road for Officer Tucker to become the ODRC Officer of the Year goes all the back to 1995 when he first began working at TCI — two years after serving with the National Guard at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility during the Lucasville riot. But his journey has consistently featured a strong commitment to excellence and pride for the work he is has done and continues to do.
After spending time with Officer Tucker, we quickly realized why he was selected as the 2016 ODRC Officer of the Year — from his integrity to his hard work reliability. It also gave us a better understanding of how to answer the question “what does it mean to be one of the best”.
But perhaps the best way to answer that question is how Officer Tucker’s warden, Charmaine Bracy, described him:
“[He] epitomizes the role of an officer. He demonstrates a high level of professionalism at all times and he is always willing to help in any area. His integrity is second to none which makes staff gravitate toward him. He is definitely one of the go to officers at TCI.”
Congratulations to Officer Mark Tucker on being named the 2016 ODRC Officer of the Year and for representing our great department with such honor.
