The Ohio House of Representatives has approved House Bill 37, which would name a section of State Route 56 in Pickaway County as the “Detective Rex Emrick Memorial Highway.” The legislation honors Detective Rex Emrick, a longtime member of the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office who died in the line of duty on January 26, 2021.
Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), who sponsored the bill, stated, “It’s important to acknowledge sacrifices made by Detective Rex Emrick and other law-enforcement officers who kept answering the call, and the families and friends they left behind. Detective Rex Emrick was truly the best of the best and we were honored in Pickaway County to have had such an incredible example of what service truly means in our community. I am grateful for the opportunity to honor him with this bill.”
Detective Emrick began his law enforcement career with the Mount Sterling Police Department in April 1974. He joined the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office in 1976 and served there until his death. During his career, he received several awards including the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association Commendation Award, Law Enforcement Excellence Award from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and was named Officer of the Year by VFW Post Number 331 Circleville in 2001.
House Bill 37 now moves to the Ohio Senate for further review.
Representative Stewart serves as a Republican state representative for Ohio House District 12 and represents Madison and Pickaway counties along with part of western Franklin County (official website). He is also an Iraq War veteran, having earned distinctions such as two Army Commendation Medals and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (official website).
