YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A prestigious honor for a deputy with the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department.

Deputy Lisa Beam has been awarded the Ohio Fraternal of Police "Member of the Year Award."

Beam not only represents her fellow deputies in resolving contract issues, she was instrumental in the local effort to defeat Ohio Senate Bill 5, according to Sergeant T.J. Assion, President of F.O.P. Lodge 141.

Beam also is involved in planning numerous charitable events for children with both the local and state F.O.P.

"I think it's very important that we promote the philanthropic aspect of the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department. Not all the time do citizens of the county or the city meet police in a favorable light. So the charity that we give we enjoy it, and it makes a difference, and those kids remember us," Deputy Beam says.

Beam is the mother of an 11-year-old daughter, and has been with the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department for 16 years.