Behind the Badge: Meet Solon’s Police and Fire Chiefs

Police Chief Courtenay Perkins

Courtenay Perkins was hired in September to lead Solon’s police department after 15 years on the force. We talked with him about his inspiration, what he loves about Solon, family life and more.

Never a dull moment. When he’s not Chief Perkins, he’s Coach Perkins, leading his sons’ football teams — a sport he’s loved since playing at Aurora High School. And when he’s not on the field, you might find him teaching in the police academies at Youngstown State or Kent State universities. He also wears his “dad” badge proudly. With seven kids at home, including a baby the family is fostering, Perkins jokes, “I guess I don’t get that much sleep!”

To the Batmobile! (er, I mean cruiser). “I was a big superhero fan growing up … but Batman was always the one I liked the most, because Batman was a human being,” Perkins says. “And anytime the Bat-Signal went up, he knew he had to jump into action and go help somebody. I thought that was cool, and being a police officer, to me, is almost like Batman in real life — without the cape.”

The definition of good policing. For Perkins, good policing means getting back to the foundational roots of being public servants with the goal of preserving peace. “One of the things we always talk about is having proficiency and professionalism to an excellent level, so that we’re able to perform in any situation we face,” he adds. “We’re ready for the challenge, and we'll do the best we can to serve the community … I want people to feel safe and at peace when they’re here in our city.”

Gratitude. “I always want to reiterate my thanks to our Solon police family. I'm happy to be a part of this team, and I’m thankful for our entire community and the support they’ve given us over the years.”

Fire Chief Shawn Toth

This past June, Shawn Toth was sworn in as the city’s fire chief. But Toth is no stranger to Solon, where he’s been part of the Fire and Rescue team for more than two decades. 

A passion for service. “I realized early on that I wanted to pursue a career in the fire service after joining a volunteer fire department while on active duty in the Marine Corps,” says Toth. “I started in 1999, and that experience kind of sealed it for me.”

Meaningful moments. Toth says there are plenty of calls that have stuck with him, but one of his most memorable moments was at a school event where kids had a chance to see the inside of an ambulance and fire truck. One family, whose child had a medical condition that prevented him from getting out and about much, was able to see the ambulance and snap a photo with Toth. “The family left, went to a store, had the photo developed, and the child wrote a note on the back. They came back before the event was over just to give it to me,” Toth says. “It reminded me that what we do isn’t just about emergencies — it’s about connection, trust and the impact we can have on people’s lives, sometimes in very simple ways.”

Staying grounded. When he’s not at work, you’ll find Toth spending time with his family and cheering his kids on at their sporting events. “I enjoy being outdoors, especially hunting,”
he adds. “It’s a good way to slow things down and recharge.”

When you see a Solon fire truck… “I hope residents feel reassured that help is close and that the people responding are prepared and committed to this community,” Toth says. “I take this role seriously and feel a deep responsibility to both the community and the men and women of the department. I believe in transparency, teamwork and continuous improvement, and I’m deeply committed to this city and our mission.”