Mr. Ralph Bauer , Prosecutor

Ralph was born in Piqua, Ohio on April 2, 1963.  He graduated from Houston High School in 1981.  He attended Wittenberg University graduating in 1985.  He graduated from the University of Cincinnati, College of Law in 1988. Ralph came home to the family farm in Houston after law school and has practiced law in Sidney since then.  He is a member of the Shelby County Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the National District Attorneys Association.

Ralph engaged in the private practice of law in Sidney from 1988 until October 2006.  During that time he was affiliated with Kerrigan, Boller, Goettemoeller & Beigel Co., LPA and most recently Ralph A. Bauer Co. LPA.  His private practice encompassed many areas of the law including Corporate and Business, Divorce and Family Law, Estate Planning, Real Estate Social Security Disability, and Criminal.  From 1988 - 1993 Ralph served as an Assistant Shelby County Prosecutor and Assistant City of Sidney Prosecutor.  He was an Assistant Shelby County Public Defender from 1993 - October 2006.  In October 2006 Ralph returned to the Shelby County Prosecutor's Office as an Assistant to James F. Stevenson. 

With the election of James F. Stevenson to the Shelby County Common Pleas Court Judgeship in November 2006 Ralph was appointed Interim Shelby County Prosecutor by the Shelby Commissioners Larry Kleinhans, Jack  Toomey, and Dale Deloye.   The Shelby County Republican Central Committee appointed Ralph to fill James F. Stevenson’s term as Shelby County Prosecutor.  On January 22, 2007 the Governor Ted Strickland gave Ralph his Commission for the remainder of the term.  Ralph opted to become a full time prosecutor and no longer engage in the private practice of law.  

Ralph's nineteen years of private practice has given him much valuable and varied experienced in many areas of the law.  He has tried civil trials for plaintiffs and defendants and has represented clients in business and real estate matters.  He has assisted clients with family issues, including wills, estates, guardianships, power of attorney, disability claims, and the many other varied legal matters every family must deal with from time to time.    

Ralph’s career as a prosecutor, both as an assistant and appointed prosecutor has been no less active.  Ralph has handled numerous cases of all kinds including cases of such notoriety as the Trevor Toves and Christopher  Harris murder cases.  He has worked closely with local elected officials and agencies including County Office holders, Township Trustees, and the many departments and agencies of local government.  In that capacity he has provided legal advice and representations to both the elected officials and agencies in the many legal matters that they must address on a regular basis.                                               

Thomas W. Kerrigan, II, Assistant Prosecutor

Mr. Kerrigan, the son of Thomas W. Kerrigan, Sr., a respected local attorney, Shelby County Prosecuting Attorney, and Probate and Juvenile Court Judge, is a life long resident of Sidney.  Tom was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1984 after receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and History from Miami University, and his Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University.  While at Ohio Northern, Tom served as editor-in-chief of the First Amendment Law School Publication. 

Tom has served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney since 1984 and is a member of the American Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association.  He is also very involved in the community, serving on Shelby County Heart Association Projects, a Board Member of the Shelby County AAA, officer of the Knights of Columbus, elected member of the Democratic Central and Executive Committees and as campaign chairman for numerous successful elected official campaigns, and is active in Sidney Youth Soccer Program.  Tom is responsible for tax collections and advising County School Boards for the Prosecutor's Office.   He is also a member of the law firm of Kerrigan, Boller, Goettemoeller & Beigel Co., LPA where he works with personal injury claims, wrongful death suits, insurance law, wills and trusts, landlord-tenant issues, and family law.  Tom is married to the former Pamela Schmiesing and has two daughters, Lauren and Katie, and a son, Thomas W. Kerrigan III.

Duane A. Goettemoeller, Assistant Prosecutor

Mr. Goettemoeller, a lifelong resident of Shelby County, lives in McCartyville with his wife Melody and their children, Drew, Megan and Ann Marie.  After undergraduate and graduate courses at St. Joseph's College, Catholic Theological Union and the University of Salzburg, Austria, Duane received his law degree from the university of Cincinnati in 1982.  Duane is a founding member of the Anna Education Foundation, a former Grand Knight of the K of C Council and a board member of Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley and Kiwanis. 

Duane's other interests include work with the Ohio Bar Association Kids Disability Project.  Duane's responsibilities for the Prosecutor's Office include representing Children Services, Juvenile Court cases, and bankruptcy proceedings.  Duane is affiliated with the private law firm of Kerrigan, Boller, Goettemoeller & Beigel Co., LPA where his practice consists of business, estate and tax planning, wills, bankruptcy, real estate and commercial litigation.

Erik R. Blaine, Assistant Prosecutor

Erik R. Blaine, Assistant Prosecutor, born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 9, 1980; admitted to the State of Ohio Bar 2006; also admitted to the Bar of the Commonwealth of Kentucky 2007; Preparatory education: University of Dayton (B.A. Psychology & B.A. Criminal Justice 2003), Fraternity: Sigma Nu; legal education University of Dayton School of Law (J.D. 2006). Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company 2006-07; City of Whitehall City Attorney’s Office 2007; Assistant Prosecuting, Shelby County, Ohio 2007 to current date. Member of: Shelby County Columbus, Ohio State, Kentucky and American Bar Associations.

Erik currently resides in Sidney, Ohio and is also Associate Attorney with the Law Firm of Kerrigan, Boller, Goettemoeller & Beigel Co., LPA where his practice focuses primarily on family law/domestic relations, debt collection, wills and estate planning.

Kathryn M. George, after graduating from Botkins High School, Kathy attended Northwestern Business College, where she received an Associates Degree in Business with a minor in Legal Assisting. Kathy has been with the Prosecutor's Office since 1985, and assists in the collection of taxes and delinquent accounts for all the county offices. Kathy is also the computer systems analyst for the office. She currently resides in Botkins with her husband Frank and their two daughters, Kristen and Erin.

Pamela J. Kerrigan has been working with the Prosecutor’s Office for 20 years now assisting with collection of delinquent real estate taxes. Pamela graduated from Houston High School and the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School in Word Processing. Pamela also completed the Upper Valley School of Court Reporting program associated with the Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.

Pamela currently serves as a board member of New Choices, a local abuse shelter. Pamela is also a member of Women In Networking, a council of the Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, and also enjoys participating in various activities with the Holy Angels School and Church in Sidney, Ohio.

Pamela grew up on a farm outside of Sidney on State Route 705, along with 12 brothers and sisters. Pamela and her husband, Thomas W. Kerrigan, II, currently reside in Sidney with their son, Thomas W. Kerrigan, III, better known as Trey Kerrigan.

Kim Beam is a graduate of Jackson Center High School and the Upper Valley Vocational School, Legal Secretary Program. She also graduated with High Honors from Edison Community College with an Associates of Business Degree with a minor in Legal Assisting. She has been working in the legal field for 10 years. She resides in Botkins with her husband and daughter.

Diane Frank joined the Prosecutor’s office in October 2003.  She is a graduate of Jackson Center High School and Miami Jacobs Jr. College of Business in Dayton, Ohio.  She brings to the office 10 years of legal experience and 10 years of experience working in local government for the Village of Jackson Center and Jackson Township.  Diane resides just outside of Jackson Center with her family and enjoys spending time attending school and sporting events.