Gallia County Sheriff Matt Champlin and Gallia County Local Schools Superintendent Phillip Kuhn have
released a statement regarding an incident which occurred on the afternoon of Friday, November 4,
2022 at the River Valley High School in Bidwell, Ohio.
At approximately 1:28 p.m., the administrative staff of the River Valley High School were alerted to a
statement made by a student which was interpreted by a fellow student to be a threat. The
administrative staff of the school and the school resource officer were alerted immediately and
lockdown procedures were implemented. The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene to
assist the resource officer of the school in an investigation of the incident. Based upon the investigation
which was conducted, it has been determined that no viable threat existed.
Mr. Kuhn stated “I am very pleased with the response from all parties involved. Our staff, students, and
the sheriff’s department did exactly what they have been trained to do which ensure the safety of
everyone in the building.”
Sheriff Champlin stated “we take every perceived threat very seriously. I am very proud of the response
of both the staff of the River Valley High School as well as that of our law enforcement professionals to
this incident today. Our number one goal is to make sure that our children are safe and protected at all
times while they are in our schools.”