Cops and Courts, Latest News

Mon County Courthouse will go blue as county marks 10 years since passing of Sgt. Todd May

MORGANTOWN — Blue lights will shine from the Monongalia County Courthouse Square later this month as the county marks 10 years since Sgt. Michael Todd May was killed in the line of duty.

The Monongalia County Commission approved the request on Wednesday. Blue lights will shine from Feb. 18-25.

May, a 10-year veteran of the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, was 41 when his cruiser was struck by Jerod Green in the early hours of Feb. 18, 2012.

Green was intoxicated and fleeing police in Mon County into Pennsylvania, where the accident occurred.

Green was convicted in Pennsylvania of third-degree murder and is incarcerated at Albion State Correctional Institution, according to information from the department of corrections.

The city of Morgantown and Monongalia County came together in 2015 to rename the bridge over Hartman Run Road, in Sabraton, the Michael Todd May Memorial Bridge.

A scholarship was started in May’s name to help those earning criminal justice degrees from Fairmont State University, May’s alma mater.

“I’d just like to give out our thoughts and prayers to the family, and all law enforcement in the area. These people put their lives on the line every day and this is the tragedy that can happen,” Commissioner Jeff Arnett said, adding, “We’d just like to give our thanks and honor them, as well as Sgt. May in remembrance of this tragic loss and also in appreciation for all law enforcement that we have here in the county.”

In other county news, the commission hired Zackary Bernath as the new superintendent of Chestnut Ridge Park at a starting annual salary of $35,000.

Bernath is replacing Amy Hettick, who left Chestnut Ridge to take over as superintendent at Camp Muffly.

TWEET @DominionPostWV