Cops & Kids, And A History Lesson.
Chamber President Tressler-Davis Retires
Westerville's Cops & Kids Day: Over 30 Years of Building Bridges
For more than three decades, the Westerville Division of Police (WPD) has dedicated a day to swapping sirens and serious calls for smiles and community connection. The annual Cops & Kids Day, a tradition set for this Saturday, celebrates a long history of fostering positive relationships between officers and the community’s youngest residents. While some recent listings have marked this as the 20th year, historical records show the event is celebrating an even longer legacy, having been a community staple for over 30 years.
What began in 1993 under the initiative of Officer Anita Baron has blossomed from a modest gathering of a few hundred people into a massive annual festival. Today, the event draws over 3,000 visitors and features more than 50 law enforcement agencies from across Ohio, making it a cornerstone of community policing in the region.
This Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hoff Woods Park will once again transform into a playground of flashing lights and friendly faces. The event is free and designed to create positive, non-enforcement interactions that build lasting trust. "This event allows our officers, and officers throughout Central Ohio, the ability to interact with children at an early age,” said Lieutenant Greg Franey, who leads WPD’s Community Services Bureau. “Our goal is to establish a positive first impression of law enforcement, leading to better relationships with police and youth.”
Families can look forward to a day packed with activities. Kids will have the chance to climb into police cruisers, motorcycles, and tactical S.W.A.T. vehicles. The awe-inspiring sight of a police helicopter landing is a perennial highlight. Beyond the hardware, the day offers inflatable gyms, games, and arts and crafts to keep children entertained.
The event's mission extends beyond fun and games. Local hospitals and safety organizations will be on-site, providing valuable child safety materials and interactive exercises. This educational component underscores the department's holistic approach to community well-being.
This year's Cops & Kids Day will be held under the leadership of Westerville's first female Chief of Police, Holly Murchland, who was appointed in June 2025. In a statement upon her appointment, Chief Murchland emphasized her commitment to building trust and strengthening relationships, a vision that aligns perfectly with the spirit of the event. "I understand what the community expects from us, and we take seriously our role in ensuring safety and well-being in Westerville," Murchland stated.
From its early days of softball tournaments and cruiser competitions to the modern inclusion of food trucks and multi-agency displays, Cops & Kids Day has evolved, but its core purpose remains unchanged. “The relationships we build at this event ultimately lead to safer communities,” Lt. Franey affirmed. As Westerville celebrates this enduring tradition, it reinforces a simple but powerful message: the strongest communities are built on mutual respect and understanding, one positive interaction at a time.
Hanby House to Host Talk on Otterbein’s Female Pioneers
Hanby House will host a special program Saturday, June 14, spotlighting Kate Winter Hanby, one of Otterbein University’s earliest and most remarkable graduates. Historian Stephen Grinch will present Kate Winter Hanby: Female Pioneers of Otterbein University at 1:15, 2:15, and 3 p.m. in the Shoemaker Cottage.
One of just two women in Otterbein’s first graduating class in 1857, Kate Winter Hanby defied 19th-century conventions by choosing not to remarry after the death of her husband, composer Ben Hanby. She supported herself and her two children by working as a teacher and a farmer—a rare path for a woman of her time. In her later years, she was honored as the oldest living graduate of Otterbein.
The event is free and open to the public; no registration is required. Guided tours of Hanby House will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m.
Janet Tressler Davis Announces Retirement After Four Decades of Service
Janet Tressler-Davis, a pivotal figure in the Westerville business community for four decades, has announced her retirement as president and chief executive officer of the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, effective October 30, 2025. She made the announcement in a message posted on the Chamber's Facebook page.
A lifelong resident of Westerville, Tressler-Davis has deep roots in the community. Her father, James A. Tressler, was an attorney who served on the Westerville City Council for 22 years, including 13 years as mayor. Her mother was also an active community member, involved with the Westerville Garden Club and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. This familial legacy of civic engagement has been a hallmark of Tressler-Davis's own career.
Under her guidance, the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce has become one of the region's most influential business advocacy organizations. It is the only suburban chamber of commerce in Central Ohio to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Tressler-Davis has been lauded for her transformative leadership and clear vision, which have been instrumental in the Chamber's growth and success. The Chamber represents nearly 800 businesses in Westerville and the surrounding communities.
Throughout her distinguished career, Tressler-Davis has garnered numerous accolades. She is a Certified Chamber Executive, a recognition bestowed by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Chamber Professionals of Ohio (CPO). Her individual honors include being named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International, Chamber Executive Director of the Year, and a recipient of the Otterbein University Alumni Community Service Award.
Under her leadership, the Chamber has also received several prestigious awards, including the Torch Award for Ethics from the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, Business of the Year by Genoa Township, and Chamber of the Year by the CPO.
A graduate of Otterbein University, Tressler-Davis has remained deeply connected to her alma mater and the broader Westerville community. She has been involved in various community-focused initiatives, such as the Westerville Partnership, which concentrates on workforce and development strategy.
“I’ve loved every day of this work. It never felt like a job—it felt like purpose,” she wrote in her announcement.
As the Chamber marks its 56th year, the Board of Trustees will launch a search for her successor this month.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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