Distinguished Law Enforcement Group Achievement Award
Pike County Rhoden Murder Task Force
In the five years after eight members of the Rhoden family were killed in Pike County, local and state investigators poured thousands of hours into finding those responsible. More than 1,100 tips were cleared; 500 interviews completed; 700 pieces of evidence tested; and 500 subpoenas, search warrants and court orders requested.
The dogged efforts led investigators to suspect and arrest another family: the Wagners, who had lived in Pike County at the time of the murders and then moved to Alaska.
In the spring, Jake Wagner, 28, pleaded guilty to all eight murders, including that of the 19-year-old mother of his daughter. Jake, who will spend the rest of his life in prison, has been cooperating with prosecutors and confirmed that the heinous plot was sparked by a custody dispute.
And last month, his mother, Angela Wagner, also pleaded guilty for her role in plotting the massacre. Her son George Wagner IV and her husband, George “Billy” Wagner, are awaiting trial.
Members of the task force include:
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Special Agent Ryan Scheiderer (lead agent)
Special Agent Supervisor Kevin Barbeau
Special Agent Jennifer Comisford
Special Agent Supervisor Roger Davis
Forensic Scientist Suzanne Elliott
Criminal Intelligence Analyst Julia Eveslage
Criminal Intelligence Supervisor Dana Forney
Special Agent Todd Fortner
Special Agent James Gore
Special Agent Shane Hanshaw
Special Agent Chadwick Holcomb
Special Agent Jonathan Jenkins
Special Agent Supervisor William Jones
Forensic Accountant Michael Kaizar
Victim Advocate Cindy Kuhr
Criminal Intelligence Analyst Jennifer Lester
Special Agent James Mulford
Special Agent Perry Roeser
Special Agent Supervisor Justin Root
DNA Lab Director Kristen Slaper
Special Agent Richard Ward
Forensic Scientist Matthew White
Formerly of BCI/Attorney General’s Office
Special Agent Stephfon Daniels
Special Agent Scott Fitch
Special Agent Seth Hagaman
Assistant Superintendent Karen Huey
Special Agent Cornelius McGrady
Computer Forensic Analyst Jonathan Robbins
Superintendent Thomas Stickrath
Special Agent-in-Charge Benjamin Suver
Special Agent Supervisor Michael Trout
Special Agent Bryan White
Deputy Attorney General for Law Enforcement Stephen Schumaker
Local Sheriff’s Offices
Maj. Alan Lewis (co-lead investigator) — Ross County, formerly of Pike County
Maj. Timothy Dickerson — formerly of Pike County
Prosecution
Lead Prosecutor Angie Canepa
Pike County Prosecutor Robert Junk
Assistant Prosecutor Andy Wilson