Meet the Team

Born in 1973 and originally from Columbus, Ohio. Father of three children (all adult age) and grandfather of one. Started his Law Enforcement career in 2005 after graduating from the Delaware Area Career Center Law Enforcement Academy he began as a reserve/auxiliary Deputy under Sheriff Jim Karnes (Franklin County Sheriffs Office). Next he worked as a part time officer under Chief Kendal McCoy (South Bloomfield Police Department) working as a patrol officer, part time detective and N.I.C.E (drug interdiction) officer.

In 2011 he joined the Ross County Sherriff Office under Sheriff George W. Lavender Jr, with whom he served his entire time with. Deputy Kocheran was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2019 and retired at that rank in 2024. Working as a jail corrections officer, patrol Deputy, on the S.R.T. (Special Response Team) as well as Boat Patrol Deputy; Sergeant Kocheran was able to come to know all aspects of Law Enforcement and using his learned skills to improve the people he had contact with not only on a daily basis but in public service.

In 2019 Eric began a career as a part-time/volunteer Fire Fighter along with his Law Enforcement Career. After serving for a few years Eric finished his Fire Fighter I & II courses in the summer/fall of 2022, completing both allowing him to obtain the status as a Professional Fire Fighter by Ohio standards.

November 17th, 2022 Sergeant Kocheran had a near fatal encounter with a subject whom was having a mental health episode and confronted the Sergeant with a firearm, firing upon him and striking the Sergeant in the chest once. The subject lost his life tragically and was known to be a Veteran of the U.S. Military, stressing the overwhelming mental health issues faced by our Veterans. His sacrifice in not only his service but losing his life to mental illness was a contributing factor in the creation of The KocheranStrong Foundation, and will not be forgotten.

Sergeant Kocheran spent 27 days in the hospital (8 in a comma) and nearly lost his life. Upon waking from the comma he as unable to communicate due to multiple issues and breathing tubes, resulting in a mental health spiral that was a contributing factor into the creation of the foundation.

During his continuing mental health journey Eric seeks to improve the mental health of First Responders and their families. This mission has been beneficial in the constantly improvement in Eric and those around him, by being Warriors for the cause of First Responder Mental Health.

In 2026 Eric partnered with Daniel Mathuews of Dirty South Therapeutics to form The KocheranStrong Mental Health Alliance. Along with the foundations Mental Health Support Team they were able to streamline the intact of First Responders in receiving ongoing mental health services. With a dozen clinicians, some whom are bilingual and have certifications of many types services are not only breaking stigmas but providing ample application. Telehealth services are stressed in this Alliance to prevent First Responders being seen entering or exiting service facilities. Funds for co-pays or out of pocket charges (little to no insurance available to some volunteer first responders) is paid for by the foundation. Funds are through donations, grants, awards from local and national entities and from generous professional who are willing to give the foundation their time and effort.

“We are committed to providing stigma free mental health services to our First Responders and their families. We are Warriors and we will fight for each and every one of them with everything we have. There is no cure to mental health but a better quality of life for them is the ultimate goal.” (Eric Kocheran)