EATON — Sheriff Mike Simpson last week announced the promotion of Deputy Robert Schneider to the rank of captain.

Capt. Schneider was promoted in mid-July and will supervise the road patrol division, according to Simpson, who said Schneider began his career with the Preble County Sheriff’s Office in June of 2002 and since then, has worked in every division of the Sheriff’s Office, including communications, corrections and road patrol.

Captain Schneider was a deputy sheriff assigned to road patrol for eight years, according to Simpson. During his time as a road patrol deputy he became one of the agency’s technical crash investigators, a field training officer, and an evidence technician.

Schneider spent the last three years of his career as a deputy sheriff assigned to the investigations section, according to Simpson. During his time as a detective he investigated several major felony crimes including homicides, cold cases, and major drug cases. He also acquired training to be a certified voice stress analyst, attended the Reid School of Interview and Technique, and became certified by the DEA to clean up clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.

Schneider received the agency’s “Outstanding Employee Award” in 2012 for the Road Patrol/Investigations Division, and the Optimist “Officer of the Year” award in both 2011 and 2012. He is a 1999 graduate of Preble Shawnee High School and a 2002 graduate of the Butler Tech Basic Peace Officer Academy. He resides in Gratis Township with his wife, Gina, and their two children, Jadyn and Brody.

“Capt. Schneider’s experience and leadership qualities will help in his newly assigned duties,” Simoson said.