Welling retires after 36 years as a juvenile probation officer
John Welling, left, caps off a 36-year career as a Wayne County juvenile probation officer. Wayne County Commissioners Matt Martin, second from left, Jonathan Hofstetter and Dave McMillen thanked Welling for serving Wayne County, read a proclamation and presented him with a county flag.
Dan Starcher
The role of a probation officer is multifaceted. They are a crucial link between the judicial system and the individuals under their supervision. John Welling’s 36 years of service were marked by an unwavering belief that rehabilitation can transform lives.
At his retirement celebration, Wayne County Commissioner Dave McMillen said, “John has, through his dedication, empowered multiple generations of youth and families to become what they were meant to be.”
Although social work is demanding, Welling gave more of himself to public service when he became a firefighter. He served with the Wooster Township Fire Department as a firefighter and emergency medical technician for 12 years, becoming a lieutenant after six years.
His colleagues will miss his leadership.
“In 2008, through John’s leadership, the (Wayne County Juvenile) Court became the first in the state to be certified to conduct forensic assessments for youth adjudicated of a sexually oriented offense,” McMillen said. “John has served on the Ohio Department of Youth Services Juvenile Sex Offender Program Advisory Board, as well as the Multi-County Juvenile Attention System Board of Trustees.”
Like others who have recently retired after a career in law enforcement, Welling said he has seen an increase in the severity of cases over the years.
“We might be dealing with a lighter caseload, but the severity of those cases is heightened because of the impact of drugs and mental health issues,” he said. “We see a lot of impact from the parents on the kids. For example, if the parents didn’t finish high school, the kids see very little value in going. If a kid sees his parents using drugs, they see that as a normal thing to do. A lot is based on how their family unit functions.”
Welling is proud of his success stories.
“I had a gentleman stop me the other day in a store. I didn’t recognize him. He is 42 years old now, but he introduced himself, and I remembered his name,” Welling said. “He had very kind things to say about me. Things weren’t kind in the moment, but as he matured and grew and reflected on that time, he appreciated it. Not every case had a happy ending like that one, though.”
Welling has no immediate retirement plans, except to “see what happens next.”
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.
