WARREN — A 35-year tradition was brought back that honors exemplary police work as the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office hosted the 41st annual meeting of the Homicide Investigation and Prosecution Unit at Cafe 422 in Warren.

The Tuesday event, fondly dubbed the “homicide dinner,” was the return of a practice of publicly recognizing exceptional police work in Trumbull County, which had been paused since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins, who spearheaded the revival, talked about the importance of collaboration and advanced training for major crime investigations.

“After some hard work by my staff, I am happy to announce that we have revived it,” Watkins said.

The event featured a three-hour law enforcement training session led by Philip Bogdanoff, a former assistant prosecutor from Summit County, covering search and seizure, professionalism and ethics.

The awards dinner followed, attended by guests that included Portage County Prosecutor Connie Lewandowski, Trumbull County Sheriff Michael G. Wilson, Warren police Chief Eric J. Merkel, and police chiefs from Howland, Liberty, Bazetta, Lordstown and Brookfield, along with Trumbull County Coroner Dr. Lawrence D’Amico and forensic pathologist George Sturbenz.

During the dinner, Merkel and detectives Eric Laprocina and Michael Altiere showcased new investigative technologies, including software that tracks cellphone traffic and locations during homicides.

Merkel highlighted how these tools helped solve several cases, including the 2023 conviction of three defendants in a fatal Warren fire. He noted that the technology is available to all Trumbull County police departments.

Watkins reflected on the unit’s history, formed in 1984 with cooperation from the sheriff, coroner and local police chiefs.

Early adoption of technology, such as VHS equipment and cameras provided to Warren police, led to convictions in high-profile cases like those of Danny Lee Hill and Charles Lorraine, both sentenced to death after videotaped confessions.

Looking ahead, Watkins announced a 2026 training event co-sponsored with Warren police, focusing on cellular data and location services in investigations. The free training, led by Arizona instructor Mike Pezzelle, will be open to all Trumbull County officers.

The evening culminated in awards presented by assistant prosecutors for outstanding investigative work in recent homicide cases:

• Altiere was honored by Assistant Prosecutor Charles Morrow for his work in State vs. Antuan Parker, securing a 42-years-to-life sentence for a 2021 murder involving corpse abuse and arson.

• Detectives Nicole Smith and Laprocina received awards from Assistant Prosecutor Michael Burnett for their role in State vs. Kenyana Pennock, a vehicular homicide case where traffic camera synchronization helped convict Pennock. Burnett also recognized Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper Kevin Brown for his work in State vs. Joseph Yuran, a fatal impaired-driving crash.

• Detectives John Greaver, Smith, Brian Crites and Laprocina were awarded by Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman for their efforts in State vs. Tyree Brown, a 2023 execution-style murder case resulting in a 36-years-to-life sentence.

• Wildman, standing in for Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Becker, honored detectives Wayne Mackey, Mike Banic, Dan Lowery, Ray Buhala, Rob Altier and Jeff Palmer for their work in State vs. Devonte Douglas, a 2021 kidnapping and murder case, and detectives Altiere and Laprocina for helping to secure guilty pleas in a 2023 fatal fire case.

• Detective Frank Tempesta and Lt. Trevor Sumption were recognized by Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Trapp for their work in State vs. Zaa-Von Hameed, a 2024 aggravated murder case resulting in a 23-years-to-life sentence.

The prosecutor’s office also presented embroidered polo shirts to active investigators in the Homicide Task Force, including Sgts. Mike Yanucci and Mike Banic; Detectives Jolene Marcello, John Greaver, Nicole Smith, Jeff Palmer, J.J. Silverman, Brian Crites, Chris Bordonaro, Dan Lowery, Mike Altiere and Josh Merrill; patrolman Andrew Hacker; and Detective Sgt. Eric Laprocina.