Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Lehnen, second from left, was presented with a Citation of Excellence by the Warren County Commissioners for his role in de-escalating a barricaded standoff incident earlier this month. Also in the photo are, left, Sheriff Brian Zeybel and commissioners Jeff Eggleston and Tricia Durbin. Photo by Josh Cotton

A Warren County sheriff’s deputy has been recognized for de-escalating a standoff stemming from a heated domestic dispute earlier this month.

Deputy Mark Lehnen was presented with a Citation of Excellence by the Warren County Commissioners on Wednesday.

Sheriff Brian Zeybel explained that Lehnen responded to the scene on Nov. 5 as back-up to City of Warren police.

“As one of the initial responders, Lehnen gained access to the residence in question with a few other law enforcement officers,” he said. “Once inside, the house was found in disarray. A female victim on scene had visible facial injuries, namely a swelled black eye, and a possible broken eye orbit. The family victim told the deputy that she was struck with a baseball bat by the defendant immediately prior to their arrival.”

When officers arrived, the defendant — Joseph Armstrong — “ran upstairs, barricading himself with a knife and baseball bat and the possibility of other weapons,” Zeybel said. Armstrong also “used large pieces of furniture, plywood and spread copious amounts of broken glass onto the staircase to impede any law enforcement officer egress.”

According to Zeybel, officials were establishing a command post and discussing next steps when Lehnen established oral communication with Armstrong.

“Lehnen calmed the defendant down and established rapport with him,” he said. “Lehnen then requested the defendant give himself up before the situation became worse.”

Armstrong surrendered to Lehnen “moving the barricades and following the commands to be taken into custody without incident or harm,” Zeybel said.

“Lehnen’s calm demeanor, experienced and confident engagement, and ability to build rapport with a distraught individual demonstrates extreme competence,” the commissioner’s citation states. “His ability to deescalate an intense standoff saved countless man hours and diffused a dangerous situation. His willingness to put himself in harm’s way is commendable.”

Zeybel said that beyond the resources was “Lehnen preventing the possibility of serious bodily injury of responding law enforcement personnel and those of the defendant himself; including self-harm.

“Deputy Lehnen’s actions in this barricaded standoff were beyond reproach,” he continued. “His actions resulted in a peaceful conclusion that the citizens of this county and our country as a whole, expect from law enforcement personnel and one that his sheriff is proud of.”

Armstrong to date faces three separate dockets and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for early January.