Command Staff

– Chief Deputy

 Captain Justin A. Drake – Corrections/Court Services

Captain Justin Drake has been a proud member of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office since 1996. Justin’s law enforcement career began shortly after he graduated from Wilmington High School in June of 1995. Justin started attending the Sinclair Basic Police Academy in 1996 where he completed the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Program. He then went on to attend the Corrections Basic Training for Full Service Personnel in 1997 at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. In 2003, Justin attended the Correctional Administrator Course for Full Service Facility at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in London, Ohio.

Justin was hired by the Clinton County Sheriff in 1996 to work as a Deputy Sheriff for the Corrections Division. He transferred to the Patrol Division in 1999 and then transferred back to the Corrections Division in 2000 where he was promoted to Shift Supervisor. In 2001, Justin was promoted to Sergeant and was named Assistant Jail Administrator. In 2004, Justin was promoted to Lieutenant in his current role of Jail Administrator. As Jail Administrator, Justin is responsible for the management and operational control of the jail, its resources, and the inmates housed within. Justin is also the Registration Administrator for Clinton County. In December of 2014,  Justin was also assigned to oversee the management of Court Services and its personnel.

Justin was awarded Officer of the Year in 1999 (Corrections Division), received an American Red Cross Emergency Service Hero award in 2014, and currently has many other awards that he has received throughout his career at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. Justin is currently on the Clinton County Community Corrections Board and on the Ohio Jail Advisory Board.

On January 2, 2017, Lt. Drake was promoted to the rank of Captain by Sheriff Ralph D. Fizer, Jr.

Lieutenant Michael T. Wahl – Corrections

Lieutenant Michael Wahl is appointed by the Sheriff as the Assistant Jail Administrator and helps to oversee the daily operations and compliance standards of the jail.  He was sworn in April 1992 and has served as a Deputy Sheriff assigned to Patrol.  He was an FTO before being promoted to the rank of Patrol Sergeant in 1999. In 2004 he was appointed as the Assistant Jail Administrator.  He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in January 2017.

He attended Wilmington College and interned with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.  He received his Peace Officer Certificate training at Sinclair Community College.  He attended the Ohio Basic Corrections Academy in Greene County and the Correctional Administrator School at OPOTA in London. He also serves as the Taser and firearms instructor for the Office. He has attended the FBI SWAT School and has served on the Tactical Team since 1996.  Lieutenant Wahl has received numerous awards including the Merit Award, (10) Personal Commendations, a Departmental Citation, Life Saving and Deputy of the Year.

Lieutenant Wahl is a graduate of the Clinton County Leadership Institute-Class of 2013. He has professional memberships with the National Tactical Officers Association, the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, National Sheriff’s Association, the International Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Association and the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association.

Lieutenant Douglas Eastes- Investigations

Lieutenant Christopher Kirk – Patrol

Lieutenant Christopher Kirk joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2000 as a Deputy.  He started off in the Courthouse operating an Xray machine and metal detector.  Chris then moved to the Road Patrol Division and worked as a K-9 handler and FTO before being promoted to the rank of Patrol Sergeant in 2013.

Chris received his Peace Officer training at Clark State College.  Chris is the Radar Instructor as well as an Alice Instructor for the Sheriff’s Office and has received several awards throughout his career, including Deputy of the Year, Life Saving awards and an American Red Cross Emergency Service Hero Award.

In April of 2024 Chris was promoted to Road Patrol Lieutenant.  He is currently responsible for supervising a team of Road Patrol Officers, overseeing their daily operations and ensuring compliance with department policies.

Rhonda Bailey – Communications

Rhonda joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2000 as a dispatcher. Rhonda was assigned as the LEADS (Law Enforcement Automated Data System) Assistant TAC (Technical Agency Coordinator) for the Sheriff’s Office in 2008. In 2009, Rhonda was assigned as the Sheriff’s Office LEADS TAC.

In 2012, Rhonda was promoted to Communications Supervisor. Rhonda oversees the day to day operations of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center.

Rhonda was awarded the Paul Starkey Memorial Dispatcher of the Year in 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010. In 2010, Rhonda received a Certificate of Recognition for Ohio LEADS Audit

Rhonda has also received training in responding to Terrorist Incidents and Active Shooters  and in NCIC Enhanced Protection Order Files.

Rhonda is very proud of what she does and loves serving the people of Clinton County.