On Nov. 14, 2023, the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII) hosted the 2022 Ohio State Highway Patrol Blue Max Awards Ceremony. The Blue Max program recognizes troopers who recover stolen vehicles. The Ace Award is earned by recovering five stolen vehicles and making criminal apprehensions in connection with those crimes within a calendar year. Annually, the trooper who recovers the most stolen vehicles along with a criminal apprehension earns the Blue Max Award.

"The courageous individuals of the Ohio State Highway Patrol dedicate themselves daily to enhancing the safety of Ohio's roads," said OII President and CEO Dean Fadel. "This occasion serves as a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude for the Ohio State Highway Patrol's commendable efforts in combating auto theft across the state."

This year’s ceremony honored 25 Ace Award recipients as well as several Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles investigators who conducted significant large-scale investigations which assisted in the recovery of stolen vehicles.

Trooper Matt Boyer, Cleveland District, was the 2022 Blue Max Award recipient with 23 stolen vehicle recoveries valued at $420,500 and 27 arrests. This is Trooper Boyer’s third Blue Max Award.

Ohio’s insurance industry has been supporting the Blue Max program since its inception in 1972. This year’s event sponsors included: Cincinnati Insurance Companies, Copart, Nationwide Insurance, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group and Wayne Insurance Group.

The Blue Max program continues to have a significant impact on vehicle theft in Ohio. These recoveries have resulted in millions of dollars of savings in auto theft loss costs, which helps Ohio’s insurance consumers enjoy average auto insurance rates that are well below the national average rate.