By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Rob Eaton doesn’t have bad days. But he definitely has some “challenging” ones.
Monday was such a day, with a divorcing couple yelling at each other in the courthouse hallway, and a woman being taken into custody at adult probation.
“There is no average day. So many different people use this courthouse,” said Eaton, director of Wood County Courthouse Complex Security.
People are there to pay taxes, apply for building permits, get dog licenses, report in at adult probation, and vote. In the month before the last general election, more than 32,000 came to the courthouse for early voting.
There have been plenty of good days for Eaton, who is retiring next week as courthouse security director.
“As long as everyone goes home safe and sound, and there are no major issues, that’s a good day,” Eaton said.
The courthouse security staff interacts with everyone coming through the public entrance of the facility.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re here for court or here for a building permit – you are treated the same,” he said.
Eaton has spent more than 35 years wearing a uniform. He began his career in law enforcement as an auxiliary officer with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office in 1990, then became full time in 1992. He worked a variety of positions – in the jail, as a detective, on road patrol, and in the civil division.
In 2018, he applied for the court security position. “It was a new challenge,” he said. Eaton was placed in charge of security for the county office building and the courthouse.
There were definite perks, like getting to work in the “most beautiful building in the county” and getting to meet all kinds of people.
And there were some “challenges,” like dealing with people during emotionally charged times in their lives, meeting the varying needs of all the elected officials in the courthouse and county office building, and responding to alarms at the complex during all times of day and night.
It was about the time Eaton started in the job that the county judges and sheriff discussed the use of court constables in the courtrooms and adult probation, while the sheriff’s office would be responsible for security of the grounds and remainder of the offices.
What could have been a sticky situation ripe for turf battles, instead became a system of teamwork.
“We work incredibly well together. We’re all about security and taking care of everyone here,” he said. “In any type of incident, we all respond.”
Eaton is a firm believer that just having constables in the courtrooms is a deterrent for violence. “The uniform’s mere presence does help,” he said.
After about 25 years of being required to enter the courthouse through metal detectors, most people no longer grumble at the inconvenience. “It’s part of society today,” Eaton said.
And relatively few people attempt to carry weapons into the courthouse. Eaton said most of the confiscated weapons are brought in by accident – men who carry pocketknives wherever they go, and women who keep mace in their bags.
“It’s very, very seldom that anyone attempts to bring a firearm in – maybe once a year,” he said.
In the first 11 months of this year, security confiscated 654 weapons, then handed them back as the owners left the courthouse. That’s not much, Eaton said, considering the more than 80,000 people who have entered the facility this year.
The pandemic did complicate security matters, with Eaton’s crew being tasked with taking temperatures and making health inquiries.
“Covid was very, very difficult,” he said. “Everybody was on edge. It fundamentally changed how we functioned here.”
Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn had high praise for Eaton’s job as director of security.
“It’s a challenging job. You’re dealing with a lot of elected officials,” Wasylyshyn said. “Rob did an excellent job of communicating why it’s important to have standards.”
“Rob is definitely going to be missed. He certainly is a true public servant,” the sheriff said. “He’s someone who’s always wanting to help people. That’s what we look for.”
Wood County Administrator Carri Stanley said Eaton will be missed.
“Rob has been a pleasure to work with. He’s always willing to go the extra mile. He’s ensured visitors and employees had a safe and welcoming experience.”
A farewell gathering for Eaton is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the atrium of the county courthouse complex. The public is invited to attend.
Eaton said he will miss the people he has created meaningful relationships with over the years in his security job.
But he has a full life outside of work. Eaton and his wife, Jody, are very involved with their church, and enjoy spending time restoring antique cast iron items such as skillets, pots and clocks that they find at antique shops or flea markets.
“The career choice for me was law enforcement. But that’s not who I am. Who I am is Jody’s husband, and David and Samantha’s dad.”
Wasylyshyn announced this week that current courthouse security officer Tony Hetrick has been selected to replace Eaton as director. Hetrick earlier this year retired after years with Bowling Green Police Division, most recently serving as chief.
“I think he’s going to be a great fit,” Stanley said.
