Task force salutes retired lieutenant

Blade - 5/25/2017

May 25--Lt. Andrea Luna's brother never received the justice he deserved, and the Lucas County sheriff's domestic-violence officer has made a career of helping other victims get theirs.

Officer Luna, retiring from the sheriff's office this month, was honored Wednesday by the Maumee Valley Domestic Violence Task Force at the Maumee Police Department. She spent 32 years at the sheriff's office, including the last 15 in her current role.

"My brother was brutally assaulted in high school," Officer Luna said. "To this day, he's under constant care. He never got to go to college, he never got married, or had children. When I grew up, I realized he never got his justice. I know that's where my passion originated."

The sheriff's department received a grant years ago to combat violence against women, which helped pay Officer Luna's salary. She also worked as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer and in narcotics.

As domestic-violence officer, she helped ensure charges were filed and victims were safe and received access to social services. John Arnsby, the Maumee city prosecutor, said Officer Luna often picked up victims and took them to hearings.

"She did anything she could to make sure they got where they needed to be," Mr. Arnsby said. "We appreciate that because a lot of times when the victims don't come, we don't have cases."

Mr. Arnsby detailed the time a female victim was severely beaten. The case was first sent to Lucas County, and Officer Luna worked with the victim, eventually convincing her to cooperate with the investigation.

After the judge surprisingly dismissed the case, the Maumee prosecutor's office quickly typed up a charge, and Officer Luna served the defendant as he left the courthouse. The case successfully was prosecuted in Maumee.

"Had he left and got away, we probably never would have seen him again," Mr. Arnsby said. "There are victims of abuse who are still alive because of her, and that's what it's all about: protecting the public. There are children who still have their mothers and fathers because of Andrea."

Officer Luna has been part of several county task forces, and she organized the department's domestic violence roundup.

She has also been Maumee's "go-to" person to settle disputes that didn't necessarily rise to the level of crimes.

"It gives me such satisfaction to be able to help someone and knowing they can go home and be safe," she said. "I feel a connection to these people."

Domestic violence and prevention have received more attention in recent years, and Officer Luna said task forces such as Maumee's are beneficial.

"I think it's on the front page now, but we still have a lot of work to do," she said. "This court here gets it."

Officer Luna said the sheriff's office is in the process of filling her position.

Contact Jay Skebba at: jskebba@theblade.com, 419-376-9414, or on Twitter @JaySkebbaBlade.

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