Lake County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Frank Leonbruno

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Facebook Policy September 1, 2015
We welcome you and your comments to the Lake County Sheriff's Office page. The purpose of this site is to present matters of public interest in Lake County and we encourage you to submit questions, comments, and concerns, but please note this is a moderated online discussion site and not a public forum. Once posted, the County reserves the right to delete submissions that contain vulgar language, personal attacks of any kind, or offensive comments that target or disparage any ethnic, racial, or religious group. Further, the County also reserves the right to delete the following types of comments:

a. Comments not topically related to the particular social medium article being commented upon;
b. Comments in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures;
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e. Sexual content or links to s*xual content;
f. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity;
h. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems; or
i. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party. j. Spam or links to other sites. k. Contains personal information. Please see Standard Practices.

Ask the Sheriff…..Recently, the President ordered flags flown at half-mast for Senator Graham and fat the death of Dolly...
09/15/2026

Ask the Sheriff…..
Recently, the President ordered flags flown at half-mast for Senator Graham and fat the death of Dolly Parton. However, my flag is flown from the pillar on my front porch and cannot be lowered on its pole. What should I do on days such as today?

An excellent question! Many people have unmovable an United States flag on their porch, and certainly you see them inside positioned on metal bases in government buildings and in schools. Thus such flags cannot be lowered.

The accepted practice in such cases is to attach a black mourning ribbon/streamer to the top of the flag. The black ribbon is usually about 3 inches wide, and some are as long 5-10’ depending on the placement of the flag. The streamer is attached to the flag for the entire day when other flags are at half-mast.

“Half-Staff” days are designated as: Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th ), Memorial Day (Last Monday in June), Patriot Day (September 11th), Pearl Harbor Day (December 7th), and on any occasion proclaimed by the President of the United States. Also, half-mast for 30 days at the death of current or former President. 10 days at the death of Vice-President, Chief Justice or Speaker of the House, or from day of death until internment for other high-ranking officials.

Just as a note, often people with very good intentions place the flag at half-mast to honor various fallen heroes or local dignitaries. While well intentioned it is generally accepted that outside of the 4 designated days listed above, it is only the President of the United States who can order the United States flag to be flown at half-mast. At times, the Governor here in Ohio has ordered flags at half-mast for fallen officers or other Ohio dignitaries. According to the flag code "by order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.”
(https://www.united-states-flag.com/half-staff.html

Sheriff Frank Leonbruno

Congratulations to Correction Officer Logan Musacchio who has successfully completed his training in the Corrections Div...
09/14/2026

Congratulations to Correction Officer Logan Musacchio who has successfully completed his training in the Corrections Division. He is now working on his own in the jail facility. We wish him all the best and expect great things in his future here at the Lake County Sheriff's Office !

Sheriff Frank Leonbruno

During one of our Explorer Post 43 meetings this month, the Explorers had the opportunity to get a firsthand look at how...
09/10/2026

During one of our Explorer Post 43 meetings this month, the Explorers had the opportunity to get a firsthand look at how the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Basic Police Academy with the Lakeland Community College operates.

The Explorers observed fi****ms training and learned about modern law enforcement techniques, including how lessons learned throughout the history of policing have helped shape the fi****ms tactics and safety practices used today.

Assistant Commander Ticel also spent time with the Explorers explaining and demonstrating the OPOTA fi****ms qualification course, giving them a better understanding of the standards recruits must meet to become certified police officers in Ohio.

It was a great opportunity for our Explorers to see another aspect of law enforcement training and learn directly from the instructors who prepare the next generation of law enforcement officers.

PRESS RELEASE – 2026 ACTIVE THREAT/MASS CASUALTY INCIDENT DRILL – Monday, September 7, 2026*** Warning- Photos contain r...
09/07/2026

PRESS RELEASE – 2026 ACTIVE THREAT/MASS CASUALTY INCIDENT DRILL – Monday, September 7, 2026
*** Warning- Photos contain realistic looking injuries on role players***

The Lake County Active Threat/Mass Casualty Incident Drill Training Group, comprised of law enforcement, dispatch, and fire/rescue personnel from Lake and Geauga Counties, completed two days of active threat/mass casualty incident drill training that took place on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 and Thursday, September 3rd, 2026.
The drill, held at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville Township, drew nearly 200 police, fire and dispatch personnel from across Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, and Cuyahoga Counties. This training, now in its ninth consecutive year, provides an opportunity for first responders to train together on current active threat/mass casualty incident response operations. Training is designed for police, fire and dispatch personnel throughout the area to work in a collaborative effort for response to critical incidents such as active shooters in populated areas. This year’s training included a heavily populated open-air incident which has been seen so often across the world.
Critical Incident instruction was given by members of the following partnering agencies: Concord Township Fire, Eastlake Police and Fire, Kirtland Police and Fire, Lake Metroparks Rangers, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Emergency Operations Center, Madison Township Police, Mentor Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Painesville City Police and Fire, Painesville Township Fire, University Hospitals (TAC MED Division), Wickliffe Police, Willoughby Police, Willoughby Hills Police & Fire, and Willowick Police.
The following organizations were in attendance over the course of this two-day training:
• Concord Township Fire Department
• Eastlake Police Department
• Eastlake Fire Department
• Eastlake Police & Fire Dispatch
• Fairport Harbor Fire Department
• Geauga County Sheriff’s Office
• Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch
• Kirtland Fire Department
• Kirtland Police Department
• Lake County Emergency Operations Center
• Lake County Sheriff’s Office
• Lake County Sheriff’s Office Explorer’s Post
• Lake Metroparks Rangers
• Lakeland Community College Police Department
• Madison Fire District
• Madison Township Police Department
• Madison Township Police Department Dispatch
• Mentor Police Department
• Mentor on the Lake Fire Department
• Ohio State Highway Patrol
• Painesville City Fire Department
• Painesville City Police Department
• Painesville Township Fire Department
• Perry Joint Fire District
• Perry Village Police Department
• Wickliffe Police Department
• Wickliffe Police & Fire Dispatch
• Willoughby Fire Department
• Willoughby Police Department
• Willoughby Hills Fire Department
• Willowick Police Department
• Willowick Police & Fire Dispatch

The training team contracted with Traumatic Players of Cleveland to enhance the drill by providing extractable victims with realistic appearance of wounds for treatment, assessment and first aid application.
Special thanks to the Lake County Chiefs of Police and Fire Chiefs Associations, Director Pat Hengst and the Lake County Narcotics Agency, and Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno for providing hydration for participants and meals for the training staff and role players. We would also like to give a special thank you to University Hospitals TacMed and AirMed units for their specialized instruction and demonstration.
Thank you, Lake County Fair Board as well as fairgrounds staff Dave Herroon and Michelle Byram, for hosting the 2026 MCI Drill. We truly appreciate all your effort and accommodation!
It is the goal of the Lake County Active Threat/Mass Casualty Incident Drill Training Group to continue to expand the operational preparedness of first responders who serve Lake and neighboring counties. Initial participant feedback from this year’s drill is very positive, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with our fellow first responders in an effort continually improve upon our emergency service response to the communities within and adjacent to Lake County.

- Lake County Active Threat/Mass Casualty Incident Drill Training Group

Lt. Larry Harpster

09/04/2026

Venmo Scam Alert

Technology Awareness Alert … Online GroomingOur technological advances in personal computer devices, smartphones, and in...
09/03/2026

Technology Awareness Alert … Online Grooming

Our technological advances in personal computer devices, smartphones, and internet access have been extraordinary. Each day brings new Apps, expanded learning opportunities and truly the world is now at our fingertips. Unfortunately, it has also enabled very dangerous criminals open access to our once private world, and specifically the private world of our children.

Technology use by our children is making them extremely vulnerable to cybercrime. One such area is online grooming which targets our vulnerable kids. If you ask “What is online grooming?” it illustrates why criminals have such access to our youth.

Online grooming is a way for s*xual predators and other types of criminals to wait hidden online for opportunities they know well how to take advantage of. Such s*x predators use false identities to move around the web to find unsuspecting victims. Who are these victims? Kids without parental control, children with low self-esteem, and those looking for friends they may not get through school or in the neighborhood.

Groomers develop an identity to make it seem they are the same age and going through the same issues of growing up in a challenging world. They ask innocent questions like what home is like, when parents are around, and how much freedom kids have to be online. Such information is critical so they will know when the best time is to communicate with the soon to be victim. They develop the relationship bonding over online games or sharing their made-up life stories. Showering the vulnerable kids with attention helps gain their trust. Once such trust is developed and groomed is when the conversations turn to s*x, sharing s*xual photos and videos. Once the trap is set they threaten to expose the kids which keeps them in the hidden relationship.

Over 50% of kids are online for at least an hour a day. 65% or more have their own smartphone device. If a predator broke into your home to attack your children you would give your life in defense of them. Yet everyday the window of technology gives them access to our kids and we are little aware of their presence in our homes.
Be just as smart as your kids with online technology. It may take a little work but you can be smarter than a 6th grader. Take the time to learn about the dangers that exist online and what to look for. Find out what apps are available to help protect your kids online and prevent predators from sneaking into their world. There are myriads of websites and online tools available.

And don’t be embarrassed about being nosey with your kids. Remember, you were once young too and thought you knew everything. You make a difference in the lives of your children and your involvement in their life has never been more important than it is today.

Sheriff Frank Leonbruno

I want to take a moment to publicly thank the Sons of the American Revolution for being honored with their Commendation ...
09/02/2026

I want to take a moment to publicly thank the Sons of the American Revolution for being honored with their Commendation Award for service in the field of criminal justice. Although my recognition of appreciation for the award by them should have been more timely, I feel it is truly a recognition of the outstanding service by all of the people I serve alongside here at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sons of the American Revolution honors our Revolutionary War patriot ancestors by promoting patriotism, serving our communities, educating and inspiring future generations about the founding principles of our Country. Members of this organization are able to trace the descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.

Thank you again to the Sons of the American Revolution, it is a privilege to serve our Lake County community.

Sheriff Frank Leonbruno

US Marshal Press Release .... For ten days in August, the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (N...
09/01/2026

US Marshal Press Release .... For ten days in August, the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) worked with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on apprehending numerous fugitives wanted by Lake County Sheriff’s Office as well as local police departments in Lake County.

Operation Washout sought to locate and arrest fugitives wanted by Lake County Sheriff’s Office for various warrants but focused their efforts on drug crimes. Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno said, “The goal for those serving as law enforcement officers, is for the members of our communities in Lake County to have a safe place to live and work. Violent fugitives and those doing harm to our communities by using and selling narcotics will be removed from our streets to ensure this safety.”

Ask the Sheriff ...Is it true that Ohio once had a law that it was illegal to be arrested on Sunday?Yes. As well, it wa...
08/26/2026

Ask the Sheriff ...
Is it true that Ohio once had a law that it was illegal to be arrested on Sunday?

Yes. As well, it was illegal at one time to fish for whales in Ohio on Sunday. In Cleveland you could not catch mice without a hunting license. Toledo declared it against the law to teach your pet to smoke ci**rs. In Columbus it was once illegal to sell Corn Flakes on Sunday. In Cleveland women could not wear patent leather shoes “lest one see the reflections of their underwear”.

Such laws are referred to as the “Blue Laws” which date back to the 1700-1800’s that were once on the books, or which are still on the books but not enforced. Blue laws were originally religious laws passed to prohibit activities that prevented people from attending Church on Sundays. In our nation such Blue Laws were reflected in laws that once prevented the sale of alcohol on Sunday, as well as requiring department stores and auto dealerships to be closed on Sundays as well. The term Blue Law began as a disparaging term referring to the moral codes insisting on s*xual and moral virtue passed in England by Oliver Cromwell’s supporters known as the blue stocking circle.

Every State in the Union once had or still has “Blue Laws”. Such laws include: In Detroit it was once against the law to destroy your old radio. In Alabama it was not only against the law to have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time, it was equally illegal to “flick boogers into the wind”. In Idaho residents could not fish from a Giraffe’s back. In Pennsylvania women could not sweep dirt under the living room rug. In Oklahoma dogs had to have a permit to congregate in groups of three or more. In Kentucky a man could not purchase a hat without his wife present. In Massachusetts all men had to carry a rifle to church with them on Sundays. And in Iowa horses were forbidden from eating fire hydrants. And in Montana “worrying squirrels” were not to be tolerated.

Such laws are comical as we reflect on them today, but some now seen as absurd have a sound basis. In San Gabriel, California bees may not live within the city limits. This did not mean that police carried very small handcuffs to arrest violating bees, but rather too many bee keepers in the city limits created a bee problem and so such bee hives were forced to be placed outside the city limits. Many such laws were created because people actually did absurd acts that required absurd laws to be passed. One such law in one State declares it is against the law to have s*x in the back of an ambulance when it is responding to an emergency. Obviously it happened and the law was created as a reaction.

It is a crazy world and often our civil and criminal laws reflect our changing and sometimes regressing society.

Sheriff Frank Leonbruno

Address

104 E Erie Street
Painesville, OH
44077

Telephone

+14403505500

Website

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