JOSEPH OKOS, Toledo Police, Feet on the Street

Joseph Okos is the chief operations officer of Feet on the Street, through which he organizes all police involvement with the “12 Kids of Christmas” and works closely with local children’s advocacy groups. Prior to his current role on the Toledo Police SWAT team, he served for eight years in the United States Marine Corps, six years as a volunteer firefighter/EMS paramedic, three years with the Lucas County Burial Corp., and 10 years as a Toledo Police officer with prior involvement as an honor guard member, crisis negotiator, crisis intervention, and field training officer.

As a volunteer firefighter, Okos raised money and built a tribute for local veterans and safety forces. He founded the “12 Kids of Christmas” program, which allows area police officers the opportunity to take at-risk children shopping for Christmas, helping over 400 children to date. He is also the founder of “Operation Hands Off,” which teaches children ages 4-10 how to stay safe if they find a firearm. He also started a law enforcement recognition game with the Toledo Mud Hens to honor officers killed in the line of duty in northwest Ohio.