COLUMBUS � The Board of Trustees of the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F) today named Lawrence J. Deck to fill the vacant position representing active police officers on the OP&F Board. Deck will begin his duties beginning with the September 27 Board meeting. His term is scheduled to expire in June 2007.

Deck is a sergeant with the Columbus Division of Police, currently serving as the supervisor of the Crime Scene Search Unit. Deck lives in Pickerington and has been with Columbus Division of Police since 1981. He is a 1985 graduate of Capital University with a B.A. in history.

"I am honored and humbled to be selected to serve on the Ohio Police & Fire Board," said Deck. "I look forward to working with the other Board members and the OP&F staff to serve all members of our pension system."

OP&F's Board of Trustees filled the vacant position in accordance with Ohio law, which provides for the elected members of the Board to appoint a successor. The Board's nominating committee reviewed 24 candidates and recommended Deck to serve the remainder of the term previously held by Thomas Bennett. All eligible active police officers will have the opportunity to participate in a statewide election in the spring of 2007 to fill a four-year term for the position.

OP&F's Board of Trustees consists of six elected members representing police officers and firefighters (two active police officers, two active firefighters, one retired police officer and one retired firefighter). The remainder of the OP&F Board consists of three appointees with professional investment experience: one each from the State Treasurer, the Governor, and a joint appointee from House and Senate Leadership.

Created in 1965 as a result of an act passed by the Ohio General Assembly, OP&F is a multi-employer pension fund serving more than 52,000 members. OP&F provides pension, disability, and survivor benefits to Ohio's full-time police officers and firefighters and their eligible beneficiaries and sponsors health care benefits for these benefit recipients.