CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe police officer was recognized for his work responding to residents in mental health and substance abuse crises, receiving a regional behavioral health board’s top honor for crisis intervention.
Officer Matt Shipley was named the 2026 Crisis Intervention Advocate of the Year, the Chillicothe Police Department announced in a social media post. The award was presented during the Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board’s eighth annual Recovery Celebration on Sept. 1 at Bell Manor in Chillicothe.
The Crisis Intervention Advocate award recognizes a first responder for exceptional commitment to the Crisis Intervention Team, or CIT, model, an approach used by law enforcement agencies nationwide that pairs specially trained officers with people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis, aiming to connect them with treatment rather than jail.
The Paint Valley ADAMH board oversees publicly funded mental health and addiction treatment services across Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike and Ross counties, working to ensure residents affected by mental illness or addiction have access to a recovery-oriented system of care. The board’s Recovery Celebration is held annually to recognize advocates, first responders and community members for their work supporting people in recovery.
Shipley has been active in community-facing initiatives beyond patrol duties. Earlier this year, he spearheaded a fundraising effort to build a legal graffiti wall at Chillicothe’s skate park in Yoctangee Park, giving local artists a sanctioned space to paint.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Chillicothe Police Department and the Paint Valley ADAMH Board.
