NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
12 May 2003

MAYOR PRESENTS POLICE AWARDS

Harrisburg, PA — Mayor Stephen R. Reed today gave official recognition to the outstanding efforts of more than 145 city police officers, citizens, public employees and others for actions ranging from saving lives to the capture of armed and dangerous criminal suspects. The awards program was begun by the Mayor in the 1980’s as a way for the city to recognize the many contributions to public safety of the city’s police officers, private citizens and others.

“The awards we present today cover a wide range of circumstances, from pulling persons out of burning structures to the capture of armed and extremely dangerous suspects, to the quick and selfless actions of private citizens whose only thought was to assist another person.

“To all of the individuals being recognized today we give our thanks. They have our gratitude, respect and admiration. The City of Harrisburg and the region are a better place because of the concern they have shown.

“All, by their service, bring honor to the memory of those who have given their lives in law enforcement service to this city and the nation,” Reed said.

The following awards were presented during ceremonies in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center:

Civilian Commendations

To 15-year old Johnathan A. Carter, for his care and assistance of city Police K-9 Reno, who became separated from his handler on September 8, 1998. Carter found and cared for the animal until police were able to retrieve him.

To Eric and Elizabeth Stevenson, who stopped a strong armed robbery from occurring on May 31, 2002, in the 1200 block of South Cameron Street. The pair also summoned police assistance and detained the suspect until they arrived.

To 7-year olds John Ramsey Jr. and Amahl Scott, 8-year old Jalen Green and 9-year old Hank Green, who found a loaded, stolen handgun in the 1800 block of Holly Street on September 29, 2002, and promptly notified a parent who then retrieved the weapon and turned it into police. The young students practiced what they had learned at school in the city’s DARE and Eddy Eagle Program (Stop, Don’t Touch, and Go Tell An Adult).

To Mary Hearn and Tracey Burton, for their quick and caring actions in securing a lost 7-year old child and returning him to his grandmother on October 13, 2002, in the 2100 block of Market Street.

To Harrisburg Hospital Critical Care surgeon Dr. R. Scott Rankin, who on December 21, 2002, assisted in saving the life of 17-month old drowning victim Kaleb Bennett. Dr. Rankin was able to locate the child’s parents in Colorado, and out of his own pocket, provided more than $600 in emergency funds needed to secure their airfare back to Pennsylvania to be with their child. Dr. Rankin has refused any reimbursement for the generous gesture, and in fact donated funds raised to reimburse him to a trust fund for Kaleb.

To Life Team Emergency Medical Technician Ryan Thomas, who while off- duty assisted officers with a January 4, 2003, motor vehicle accident on Cameron Street that left five persons seriously injured.

To Manuel Berio Dejesus, who earlier this Spring provided police with information that led to the arrest of a female suspect who committed more than 30 acts of vandalism with a bb gun on Allison Hill. The crime spree caused more than $7,500 worth of damage.

The Mayor’s Award for Heroism

To Police Officers Daniel B. Jenkins, Michael S. Lamonto, Marc A. McNaughton, Jeffrey Clark, Craig D. Canfield and K-9 Dakota, for their quick and intelligent actions in saving the life of robbery/shooting victim Earnest Baylor, at his store at 12th and Bailey Streets on January 13, 2003. Baylor survived multiple gunshot wounds thanks to the quick medical attention the officers provided, and has since returned to his store’s operation.

The Officer of the Year Award

To Police Officer Deric. E. Moody, for his intelligence, diligence, professionalism and excellent law enforcement skills in developing suspect intelligence, Weed and Seed Program efforts, Field Training for new officers, and his negotiation skills and service on the Dauphin County Crisis Response Team. He successfully negotiated the surrender of 3 different potential suicide victims in a two-month span.

Awards of Merit

To U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent S.A. Andrew Cunney, for his exemplary work in helping break up a major cocaine trafficking network that extended from New York City to Phoenix, Arizona. So far, 27 federal warrants have been issued in connection with the case, with 23 individuals arrested and 16 kilos of cocaine and more than $600,000 in cash and assets seized.

To Lancaster Police Officer Donald Morant, for his undercover drug law enforcement efforts from August to October, 2002, which resulted in the arrest of 39 different suspects for 63 purchases of controlled substances. Large quantities of drugs, cash, firearms and vehicles were also seized.

To Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Christopher Keppel, for his undercover drug law enforcement work in October and November, 2002, resulting in 19 separate arrests for 26 different illegal drug purchases and the seizure of much contraband.

To Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Mason McMurray, for his undercover drug law enforcement work in October and November, 2002, resulting in 22 different arrests for 38 different drug purchases, with large quantities of cash, drugs, weapons and vehicles seized.

To Dauphin County Adult Probation and Parole Officers Jason Snyder and Donald Trovy, for their January 28, 2003 capture of a suspect in possession of more than $15,000 worth of illegal drugs.

To city Police Officer James T. Galkowski and Dauphin County Probation and Parole Officer Gretchen Lagus, for their quick actions in effecting the arrest of a drug trafficking suspect in possession of more than $15,000 worth of crack cocaine in January, 2002.

To city Police Officer Quintin E. Kennedy and Dauphin County Probation and Parole Officer Andrew Cooper, for their February, 2002 actions in effecting the arrest of a drug trafficking suspect in possession of a large quantity of marijuana and cash.

To city Police Officers William T. Snyder and Julian B. Adams, for their May, 2002, exemplary investigative work resulting in the arrest of a repeat felon in possession of marijuana, cocaine, a stolen handgun and a stolen vehicle.

To city Police Officer Clark T. Godusky and K-9 Dak, for their diligent pursuit and capture of a fleeing felon in May, 2002.

To city Police Investigators Christine C. Bielenda and Rodney D. Shoeman, for their diligent efforts in May, 2002, in capturing a habitual offender suspected in a series of midtown burglaries. The suspect subsequently confessed to the crimes.

To city Police Officers Clark T. Godusky and John A. Salvadia, for their May, 2002 actions in preventing a potential suicide victim from jumping off the Mulberry Street Bridge.

To city Police Officer Garret R. Miller and Investigator Kevin C. Duffin, for their quick and courageous actions in spotting a vehicle being sought in a Hummelstown home invasion incident and the detention at gunpoint of multiple suspects who were later convicted of the June, 2002 crime.

To city Police Officer Christopher Krokos, for his July 2002 investigative actions that led to the capture of an armed and dangerous murder and weapons violations suspect.

To Capital Police Officer Michael Chiao, and city Police Officers Garret R. Miller, Sean D. Cornick and Milo G. Hooper, for their quick and intelligent actions in preventing a potential suicide victim from jumping off the State Street Bridge in August, 2002.

To Dauphin County Sheriff’s Deputies David Herzog, Marchand Pendleton and city Police Officers Charles A. Anderson and Franco Angelini, for their August 2002 actions in responding to a city detective’s location of an armed and dangerous bank robbery suspect, and a subsequent grueling pursuit that led to the capture of the suspect.

To city Police Officers Jarret J. Ferrari, Gabriel S. DeLeon and Robert E. McKenzie, for their quick and intelligent actions in October, 2002, that led to the capture of a fleeing armed robbery suspect in the 2100 block of Green Street.

To Dauphin County Probation and Parole Officer Andrew Cooper and city Police Officer Tyron E. Meik, for their quick actions in arresting a parolee in possession of multiple illegal firearms in the 1600 block of Market Street in October, 2002.

To city Police Officer Milo G. Hooper, for his exemplary police work in effecting the capture of an armed and dangerous suspect wanted on attempted homicide, car-jacking, kidnapping, assault and firearms charges in October, 2002 at a Cameron Street public housing area.

To city Police Officer Stephanie F. Barrelet, for her quick actions during a routine traffic stop in November, 2002, that led to the arrest of a convicted felon on drug and firearms possession charges.

To city Police Officer Terry D. Wealand, for multiple arrests in November, 2002, that included one for multiple drug law and traffic violations, and the other for a shooting suspect at Linden and Walnut Streets.

To city Investigators John C. O’Connor, Donald E. Heffner II, Rodney D. Shoeman and Joseph A. Zimmerman, for their exemplary and diligent investigative teamwork in November, 2002 that led to the capture of a dangerous, knife wielding robbery suspect who had plagued the midtown with multiple robberies.

To city Investigators Hector L. Baez, Jeffrey M. Shriver and Victor M. Rivera, and Police Officer John A. Salvadia, Jr., for their excellent investigative work in November, 2002 that cracked a band of youth armed robbers that had committed multiple robberies in the downtown and uptown areas.

To city Corporal Dennis J. Sorenson, Investigators David A. Lau, Victor M. Rivera, Rodney D. Shoeman and Joseph A. Zimmerman, and Police Officers Jarret J. Ferrari and Mark S. Fulton, for their quick, courageous and intelligent actions in locating and arresting four armed suspects wanted in a murder incident that had occurred several blocks away. Four New Yorkers intent upon starting up a drug trafficking operation were subsequently arrested and charged.

To city Investigator Joseph A. Zimmerman and Police Officers Edward V. Grynkewicz III, and Timothy J. Hammaker for their quick and intelligent actions in arresting an armed robbery suspect only blocks from his most recent crime in December, 2002. The suspect later confessed to several other robberies in the uptown.

To city Investigators Timothy M. Carter, Donald E. Heffner, David A. Lau and Daniel M. Webber, for their diligent and intelligent investigative work in identifying, locating and capturing three juvenile homicide suspects in January, 2003.

To city Investigators John C. O’Connor and Daniel M. Webber, and Police Officers Craig D. Canfield and Jeffrey Clark for their quick and exemplary investigative efforts that led to the arrest of multiple suspects wanted in connection with the drive-by shooting of an 8-year old girl in the 2600 block of North 6th Street in January, 2003.

To Investigators Kevin R. Duffin and Elijah Q. Massey and Police Offcier Sean D. Cornick, for their exemplary investigative work in identifying a homicide suspect wanted in connection with killing a popular city businessman on January 24, 2003.

To city Police Officers Gabriel Olivera, Jarret A. Ferrari and Todd A. Abromitis for their diligent efforts in identifying and arresting multiple suspects wanted in connection with a string of auto thefts in December, 2002, and January, 2003.

To city Investigators Matthew A. Taylor and Jason D. Brinker, Police Officers Garret R. Miller, Christopher Krokos, Robert Fleagle and Jason Paul, for their intelligent and effective teamwork in identifying and capturing a January, 2003 armed robbery suspect who had robbed a grocery store in the 1900 block of Derry Street.

To city Police Officer Carlos O’Quendo, for his extraordinary efforts in pursuing and capturing a March, 2003 shooting suspect, following a grueling chase through knee-deep snow on Briarcliff Road in Bellevue Park.

To private Security Guards Jonathan Rider, Dane Dilbert, Tina Smith and Ron Dupert, and city Police Officer Stephanie F. Barrelet, for their March, 2003 investigation, identification, pursuit and capture of a violent domestic dispute suspect at the Maclay Street Apartment Complex.

To city Police Officer Michael S. Lamonto and K-9 Dakota for their March, 2003 diligence and pursuit of multiple burglary suspects in the 1400 block of Derry Street, resulting in multiple arrests for both burglary and drug possession.

To city Police Officer Kirk E. Aldrich, for his intelligent and dedicated efforts in April, 2003, in identifying and capturing an Allison Hill vandalism suspect who had damaged more than 30 vehicles and home windows, causing more than $7,500 in damage.

To city Police Officers Deborah J. Reigle, Peter Rivera and Jeffrey D. Marsh, for their April, 2003 actions that resulted in the arrests of four juvenile vandalism suspects, and the confiscation of a backpack full of spray-paint cans, and other stolen property.

Distinguished Unit Citations

To the Community Policing Power Shift, a special unit established by the Mayor to focus law enforcement resources in specific city neighborhoods. The unit, comprised of officers from the Police Bureau and the Dauphin County Offices of Adult and Juvenile Probation, confiscated more than $72,000 worth of drugs, including 17 ounces of cocaine, 74 bags of heroin, 8 pounds of marijuana, 13 stolen and forfeited vehicles, 37 firearms and $38,256.00 in cash in 2002. Members include city police Cpl. Brenda Holmes, the Unit Supervisor, and city Police Officers James T. Galkowski, Ryan J. Neal, Tyron E. Meik and Quintin E. Kennedy, and Dauphin County Adult Probation Officers Timothy P. Kinsinger, Gretchen Lagus, Larry Muza, Chad McConnell, Steve Merino and Andrew Cooper, and Dauphin County Juvenile Probation Officers Robert Ocker, Christian Pratt and Steve Cover.

To the Police Auto Theft Unit, whose combined efforts resulted in a 78% decrease in auto thefts in the city over the past two years. Of nearly 850 reported cases of auto theft in 2002, less than half turned out to be actual auto thefts. Most alleged incidents of auto theft involved insurance fraud, ‘fiend’ floats, or simply false reports. The Unit made 28 arrests for legitimate Felony Auto Theft incidents during the year. Unit members include Cpl. Steven L. Novacek, and Investigators Grant C. Steele, Daniel M. Webber, Jason D. Brinker and Shaun Pugh.

To the Police Bureau’s First Platoon, for their heroic efforts at a fatal fire scene in February, 2003, in the 1300 block of Vernon Street. The Platoon’s officers, first on the scene at the deadly fire, were able to rescue several victims from the heavily-engulfed structure and began immediate CPR and other actions that helped save the life an eight-year old girl. Three other victims eventually succumbed to their injuries, including the girl’s mother and brother. First Platoon officers include Unit Supervisor Sgt. David J. Floyd, Cpl. Tammy K. Adams, and city Police Officers Michael P. Sanderson, William Owens Jr., Shawn M. Donofrio, Steven A. Bradney, Ronald L. Zimmerman, Jr., William H. Kimmick III, Atah H. Akakpo- Martin, Chad A. Sunday, Libertad Gonzalez and Thomas F. Ryan.

To the Police Bureau’s first-ever School Resource Unit for their work in 2002. The 13-member unit is assigned exclusively to city schools. In addition to incident response in city schools, the Unit administers DARE training, the Scout Law Enforcement Explorer program, and a variety of other youth-oriented programs. Many of the Officers also volunteer with the District, in such capacities as athletic coaches, mentors and more. The School Resource Officer Unit consisted of Sgt. Briana L. Woodring, Cpl. Thomas C. Carter, and Police Officers Wendelin L.Weaver-Carter, Rena M. Harden, Sherry Edwards-Kissner, Annemarie L. Bair, David C. Kyle, Steven R. Prisbe, Robert D. Archie, Gabriel Olivera, Laura Davis, James R. Hawkins and Delon S. Henry.

Commendatory Letters

To city Police Officer William H. Kimmick III, for his quick and intelligent investigative skills in tracking down and arresting an armed robbery suspect in the Jackson Apartment Building in February, 2003.

To Telecommunications Supervisor Terri J. Williams and Operators Debra A. Baker, Gwendolyn T. Layton and Cherice T. Sutton, for their skillful handling of Police and EMS response to a fatal shooting in the early morning hours of December 20, 2002.

To Telecommunications Operator Kristen Marie Baker, for her expert handling of a youth shooting incident on December 31, 2002.

To Telecommunications Operators Paul J. Corbett II, Janice Clea, Debra A. Baker and Charlene A. Collier, for their handling of a January 24, 2003, fatal robbery that left a popular city oil deliveryman dead. The dispatchers’ excellent handling of the incident helped lead to the eventual identification and arrest of the suspect.

To Telecommunications Operators Laurie A. Over, Lisa Y. Terrell and Tamyra J. Edmonds, for their quick and dedicated efforts to identify and locate suspects being sought in connection with a January 2003, armed grocery store robbery in the 1900 block of Derry Street. Their efforts resulted in the suspect’s quick arrest.

To Telecommunications Supervisor Steven P. Harman and Operators Debra A. Baker, Janice Clea, Mattea L. Macri and Elsie Miller, for their extraordinary efforts in coordinating police response to a fatal fire on February 2, 2003, in the 1300 block of Vernon Street.

To Telecommunications Supervisor Luther W. Petrea IV and Operator Debra A. Baker, for their quick and diligent efforts in coordinating police response to an April, 2003 robbery at the Elbow Room Bar in the 1200 block of Mulberry Street, resulting in the timely, on-site capture of the suspect.

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