Jury finds Oakwood officer guilty in Tipp City bar fight
OAKWOOD — An Oakwood police officer was found guilty of a minor misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge in a Tipp City bar fight after a five-hour trial Friday in Miami County Municipal Court.
Jeffrey Watkins, 41, of rural Tipp City, was found guilty by court Magistrate Gary Zuhl, who heard testimony from several people, including Watkins. The magistrate also watched video from inside the bar.
Zuhl sentenced Watkins to a $50 fine and court costs.
Watkins and his twin brother, Jeremy, of rural New Carlisle, were charged by Tipp City police following a March 11 incident at Tony’s Bada Bing on West Main Street. They pleaded not guilty and were scheduled for separate trials Friday before Zuhl.
Jeremy Watkins’ case was resolved early Friday afternoon when he paid a $25 fine and court costs.
Tipp City Police detective Sgt. Chris Graham said a Tipp City man received a serious eye injury during the altercation, and the man’s wife was hit in the face and knocked to the floor.
In his testimony, Jeffrey Watkins said he was punched in the head at one point during what was described as three incidents during the altercation. He said he couldn’t remember what happened after being punched in the second incident.
“My lights went out ... I remember this general feeling of not knowing what the heck was going on,” he said.
His wife, Jennifer Watkins, who works as a nurse practitioner, said she thought he had sustained a concussion. No records of medical treatment were presented.
Zuhl said testimony regarding the first two incidents showed Jeffrey Watkins was taking steps to protect his brother, Jordan Watkins, who was also at the bar, in the first incident. The second incident, seen on video, showed Jeffrey Watkins standing back during activity.
The third incident was “more troubling,” Zuhl said. That incident was not on video but the subject of testimony from several witnesses.
Oakwood Police Chief Alan Hill had earlier said any potential discipline would be handed down after all of the information becomes available. He noted that Oakwood police officers are held to the highest standards.
“Anytime a police officer is criminally charged, regardless of the offense, it is extremely disappointing,” Hill said. “If officer Watkins is found to have engaged in wrongdoing, he will be held accountable for his actions.”
Jeffrey Watkins’ personnel file reveals he has not been disciplined while a member of Oakwood’s police force, which he joined in August 2015. Age 53, passed away Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at
Grandview Hospital. Chip was born July 2, 1965 in Dayton,
OH to Earnest “Red” Armitage and Beverly (Fosnaugh)
Armitage. He graduated
Vandalia Butler High School in
1983. Chip worked as a superintendent for Republic Asphalt and Houser Asphalt for 35 years. He also was owner / CEO of Armitage Trucking. He was an avid motorsports enthusiast and enjoyed fishing, camping, motorcycling, and flea markets. He was a devoted family man with a huge heart who would do anything for his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Earnest “Red” Armitage Sr. and brother, Mike Tharpe. He is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Raelene (Arbogast); children, Cody (Erica) Price, Kyle (Maggie Moran) Armitage; Travis Armitage; Caity Lilly, Kenzie Williams, Collin Williams, and Gracie Armitage; mother, Beverly (Fosnaugh) Armitage; sisters, Diane (Rusty) Walsh and Kim (Darrell) Presley; and a host of other relatives and friends. A Memorial Mass will be held 2:30 pm Friday, December 21, 2018 at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Vandalia. Arrangements in care of American Cramation Service a division of Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home.
Passed away on Friday,
December 7, 2018 at the age of
96. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Bachus; her parents Herb and Gladys
Raney; her brother Bob Raney; and her sister Julie Palmert.
She is survived by her daughter her daughter, Debby Stodd
(son-in-law Jeff; grandson
Brian and his wife Kenzie; grandson Kevin and his wife
Jamie and great grandson
Emmett Bachus; grandson Colin; and granddaughter Raney Lundholm and her husband Danny) and her daughter, Molly Baller (son-in-law Wayne; grandson Michael; grandson Steven and his wife Leah and great granddaughter Olivia Grace; and grandson David and his wife Sanam). Dottie was always the life of the party. She and her husband Bill Bachus (“Beek” to his friends) had a multitude of friends and a fabulous social life in Dayton. They met at the University of Dayton. They both played golf at the Miami Valley Golf Club. She was an avid bridge player and belonged to many bridge clubs through the years. Dottie cherished the time she spent with her two daughters, Debby and Molly, and was very proud of her seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at 12:00 noon. The family will receive visitors at Church beginning at 11:00 AM. Online condolences may be sent to