DELAWARE — Every time a Delaware County sheriff’s deputy retires in good standing, they’re offered the chance to buy the firearm they’ve carried throughout their career — for just $1.
The tradition continued Monday when county commissioners approved the sale of Lt. David Buttler’s service pistol, a Sig Sauer P320 Pro, back to him ahead of his retirement July 31.
During his 25-year career, Buttler served as a patrol deputy, K-9 officer, detective, patrol sergeant and lieutenant. He also led the Delaware County Child Abduction Response Team, known as CART, from its creation, helping it become the only nationally accredited CART team in Ohio.
“Dave will be missed, not only for his dedication, but for his integrity he brought to the profession and every aspect of his life,” said DCSO Chief Deputy John Scowden.
The $1 purchase isn’t unique to Buttler.
Sheriff Jeff Balzer said the practice is written into the sheriff’s office policy manual, allowing any sworn deputy who retires in good standing to purchase their service pistol for $1.
He said similar traditions exist at many sheriff’s offices across central Ohio.
“I think the concept goes back to how important a firearm was — not in your daily duties, you’re not using it every day, certainly — as an important tool that a law enforcement officer has to kind of recognize that they’ve served well and faithfully in our community,” Balzer said.
Balzer said fastening his service pistol to his duty belt is the last thing he does before he begins each shift.
“I’m on duty then. So it’s something that symbolically keeps us safe while we’re working,” he said.
“The pistols are a tool, and hopefully someone goes through their career, never having to use it against another person.”
The DCSO replaces service pistols every seven to eight years, Balzer said, so purchasing new ones is routine.
Retired deputies are free to do what they want with their pistols, but Balzer said most either continue to use them for practice or concealed carry or put them in a display box, along with their badge and identification.
Ohio law also allows retiring deputies to purchase K-9s and horses that are no longer fit for service, though Balzer said he isn’t aware of that ever happening in Delaware County.
