By RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY
PDT Staff Writer

The Ohio State Highway Patrol's Portsmouth Post announced on Tuesday the recipients of their 2008 Dispatcher of the Year and Trooper of the Year honors: Dispatcher Sonia Banks and Trooper Nick Lewis, respectively.

Banks and Lewis were reportedly selected for their outstanding service to the Portsmouth Post in 2008.

Banks is originally from Portsmouth, a graduate of Portsmouth High School, and joined the OSHP 2003. She now resides in the Minford area with her husband and two children. She was reportedly selected by her fellow dispatchers at the Portsmouth Post based on her technical job knowledge and ability, enthusiastic work attitude, teamwork and prompt and courteous response to the public's requests for information and assistance.

"I'm blessed. I'm truly blessed," Banks said. "I'm humbled about it and very honored. God's been good to me."

This is Banks' first year receiving the award.

Lewis is originally from Scioto County, a graduate of Northwest High School, and joined the OSHP at the Wilmington Post in 2005. One year later, he transferred to the Portsmouth Post. He now lives in McDermott with his wife and two children.

Lewis was reportedly selected by supervisors and troopers at the Portsmouth Post because of his leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude and his cooperation with supervisors, peers and the public.

Both Banks and Lewis were also chosen by the OSHP District Nine headquarters as 2008 Southeastern Ohio Trooper of the Year, and are both in contention for statewide honors.

"It feels good. It's an honor to be picked by your peers," Lewis said, "And then to be selected by the district staff as district trooper."

This is the first time Lewis has received the award, but he was once also awarded the Patrol's Ace Award for recovering five or more stolen vehicles.

Banks and Lewis now will attend the statewide banquet where the state Dispatcher and Trooper of the Year will be chosen.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235.