Owensboro Police Chief Named 2019 Melvin Shein Award Recipient
Owensboro Police Chief Art Ealum received the 2019 Melvin Shein award on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, for his distinguished law enforcement service to the commonwealth.
The Shein Award, named for Dr. Melvin Shein of Louisville, has been presented annually since 1973. The award is given each year to a recipient who has contributed immeasurably to the assistance and promotion of law enforcement in Kentucky.
Ealum has served the Owensboro Police Department since he was hired as a patrolman in 1991. He was appointed chief in 2012, where he leads more than 100 sworn officers and about 50 civilian employees.
“He is held in high esteem for the way he values every employee of his agency and knows everyone on a first-name basis,” Ealum’s nomination letter states. “He is passionate, caring and displays genuine concern and empathy for the men and women under his command – yet demands professionalism, accountability and a commitment to excellence.”
Ealum was presented with the award during the November Kentucky Law Enforcement Council meeting in Louisville. The chief humbly expressed his surprise after KLEC Chair Spike Jones called his name.
“I am honored because there are so many qualified people across the state,” Ealum said following a standing ovation. “Thank you very much for this.”
Dr. Shein graduated in 1939, from Berea College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a medical degree in 1943 and earned a Master of Science degree in pathology from the University of Louisville in 1950. He was a clinical instructor at the University of Louisville’s School of Medicine and had been a lecturer for the Kentucky State Police Academy.
Early in 1972, Shein conducted training for the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council in Frankfort, Bowling Green, Richmond and Louisville. Through seminars, Shein gave his knowledge to many officers regarding techniques and procedures of emergency childbirth and external cardiac resuscitation. Shein has made outstanding commitments and contributions to law enforcement in Kentucky.
His conscientiousness was demonstrated when he donated a plaque to KLEC, which is presented annually to the person contributing the most to assist and promote law enforcement in the commonwealth for the previous year.
Ealum’s nomination letter outlines numerous contributions to the Owensboro community as well as the commonwealth in many programs and organizations. Most recently he was named the new president of the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police. Ealum was recognized as an “excellent role model” in his nomination letter, offering quality leadership, respect and appreciation to all.
“The Owensboro Police Department and the City of Owensboro have benefited substantially as the result of Chief Ealum’s leadership, professionalism, compassion and commitment to excellence,” the letter states. “We feel that the chief’s contributions to his community, our state and law enforcement nationally are outstanding.”
Each year, the recipient of this award is acknowledged on the Shein Award, which is displayed in the KLEC office in Richmond. Additionally, the recipient is presented with a plaque of his own.
