A Columbus Police Officer was honored for his work with the Bartholomew County Veteran Treatment Court. Officer Brian Kushman

received a Letter of Commendation from Chief Jonathan Rohde during Tuesday’s meeting of the Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety. Chief Rohde says that Kushman, a 16-year veteran of the Columbus Police Department and an eight year veteran of the U.S. Army, volunteered to become a mentor to the Veteran’s Court when it began last year.

Participation in the Veteran’s Court is voluntary and each applicant is screened and evaluated before they are allowed to start the program. During the program, participants are paired with a mentor who is a veteran. Local officials say that the goal of the program is to restore the lives of veterans who have been arrested, while holding them accountable for their actions. Chief Rohde said of Kushman, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your military service and for your service to our community as a police officer. I commend you for the work you have done to positively impact the lives of our veterans and I am honored to work alongside you.”