radar for locals

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PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE Tom Corbett, Governor Col. Frank Noonan, Commissioner VOLUME LI AUGUST 2014 NUMBER 8 THE COMMUNICATOR Protecting and Serving the Commonwealth Since 1905 RADAR FOR LOCALS - continued on page 2 I n June, Commissioner Frank Noonan and several others testified before the Senate Transportation Committee, calling for Pennsylvania to become the final state to enact legislation that would allow municipal police officers to use radar for speed enforcement. “Two-thirds of Pennsylvania's 615 speed-related deaths that occurred in 2012, the latest year statistics are available, occurred on local roadways,” said Thomas King, President of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. The national average of speed-related deaths in 2012 was 305. Pennsylvania's annual speed-related deaths are more than double the national average. In 2011, 87 percent of Pennsylvania's 1,286 speed-related fatalities happened on local roads. The Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, John Rafferty, R-Montgomery County, stated the issue had been brought up in the General Assembly for years, but has failed to pass because of concerns by some constituents that local governments will misuse their radar guns to increase traffic stops, thereby increasing revenue. Noonan disagreed. "Understand one thing," he said, "Giving the municipal police officers radar will save lives. There's just no question about it." Addressing the fears of abuse for revenue, Noonan stated, "If we found some municipality was abusing this privilege, I don't think it would be very difficult for us to go back and remedy that very quickly." In agreement, Senator Randy Vulakovich, R-Allegheny County, also a former police officer, said, "Forty-nine states can do this and trust their policemen to do it. Pennsylvania cannot. It's insulting and somewhat silly… policemen should have the tools that they need." Towns receive a very small portion of the proceeds from tickets - only $17.50 for speeding where the limit is under 65 mph. Furthermore, local communities can write tickets to increase revenue using their current tools, and they do not. Currently, local departments use less efficient systems to enforce speed, such as VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer And Recorder), which was pointed out to the Committee as inefficient, because it requires at least two officers to operate. This practice is time-consuming for manpower-starved departments. Many municipalities have voiced support for the legislation authorizing local radar, including Allegheny County and Pittsburgh.

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While interning as a press writer for the PA State Police, I was tasked with researching and writing a front-page article for their monthly publication, The Communicator, about current legislation concerning radar gun use in municipal police departments. 49 states in the U.S. allow their local police to use radar guns to measure the speed of motor vehicles. Click below to see what I learned about why Pennsylvania has not yet followed suit, and the fight that rages on to pass legislation allowing it. The article continues on page 2.Publish Date: August 2014

TRANSCRIPT

  • PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE Tom Corbett, Governor Col. Frank Noonan, Commissioner

    VOLUME LI AUGUST 2014 NUMBER 8TH

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    5RADAR FOR LOCALS

    - continued on page 2

    In June, Commissioner Frank Noonan and several others testified before the Senate Transportation Committee, calling for Pennsylvania to become the final state to enact legislation that would allow municipal police officers to use radar for speed enforcement.

    Two-thirds of Pennsylvania's 615 speed-related deaths that occurred in 2012, the latest year statistics are available, occurred on local roadways, said Thomas King, President of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. The national average of speed-related deaths in 2012 was 305.

    Pennsylvania's annual speed-related deaths are more than double the national average. In 2011, 87 percent of Pennsylvania's 1,286 speed-related fatalities happened on local roads.

    The Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, John Rafferty, R-Montgomery County, stated the issue had been brought up in the General Assembly for years, but has failed to pass because of concerns by some constituents that local governments will misuse their radar guns to increase traffic stops, thereby increasing revenue.

    Noonan disagreed. "Understand one thing," he said, "Giving the municipal police officers radar will save lives. There's just no question about it." Addressing the fears of abuse for revenue, Noonan stated, "If we found some municipality was abusing this privilege, I don't think it would be very difficult for us to go back and remedy that very quickly."

    In agreement, Senator Randy Vulakovich, R-Allegheny County, also a former police officer, said, "Forty-nine states can do this and trust their policemen to do it. Pennsylvania cannot. It's insulting and somewhat sillypolicemen should have the tools that they need."

    Towns receive a very small portion of the proceeds from tickets - only $17.50 for speeding where the limit is under 65 mph. Furthermore, local communities can write tickets to increase revenue using their current tools, and they do not.

    Currently, local departments use less efficient systems to enforce speed, such as VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer And Recorder), which was pointed out to the Committee as inefficient, because it requires at least two officers to operate. This practice is time-consuming for manpower-starved departments.

    Many municipalities have voiced support for the legislation authorizing local radar, including Allegheny County and Pittsburgh.

  • As you may very well know, at a press conference on June 23, 2014, Attorney General Kathleen Kane released her l o n g - a w a i t e d report on the handling of the

    Jerry Sandusky investigation. She introduced the report, along with an explanation of her decision, to look at the actions of the investigators and Governor Tom Corbett.

    The prosecutor appointed by Attorney General Kane to review the investigation, H. Geoffrey Moulton, spoke at length about his process during the press conference. The report explained that Mr. Moulton found no direct evidence that electoral politics influenced any important decision made in the investigation. But the report also found shortcomings in the investigation of Sandusky who was arrested November 5, 2011, and convicted June 22, 2012.

    Page 2 PA State Police

    COMMISSIONERS COLUMN

    Col. Frank Noonan

    There are many aspects of Mr. Moultons report that I take exception to, such as its approach, timing, and many of its conclusions regarding the conduct of the investigation. However, it must be pointed out that the vast majority of the reports findings actually refute the claims that led to it being conducted in the first place: no direct evidence of political influence, powers of the Grand Jury certainly proved valuable, and the suggestion that the investigation was adequately resourced.

    It is true that the report questioned some of the decisions made during this investigation. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that we are all working for the victims and the administration of justice. There were innumerable tactical and technical decisions made throughout this investigation by able, experienced, and dedicated prosecutors and investigators. They were tasked with putting together an incredibly complex case against a nationally known icon.

    Those who now criticize this investigation, on the other hand, have had the luxury of 16 months to review those investigative decisions, with the written record before them, through the lens of hindsight. When looking at a completed Rubiks Cube, the task seems easy enough; but anyone who has actually tried to line up those squares can attest to the difficulty. Nonetheless, in any debate regarding the proper conduct of the investigation, the investigators have a distinct and powerful advantage over those who now seek to second guess their decisions because of their work, Jerry Sandusky will most likely spend the rest of his life in prison.

    I want to thank all the men and women who worked extremely hard to support and fight for Jerry Sanduskys victims, especially those Troopers who are involved in this investigation.

    Rafferty has, however, drafted a bill - Senate Bill 1428 - before the General Assembly that would finally allow local police departments to use radar. The bill allows full-time police officers at 24-hour police departments to use radar after completing training. Furthermore, all local police would be required to report any revenue generated through radar citations to the PSP.

    This is not going to be an easy subject of a bill to get through this General Assembly, Rafferty said. When I announced that we were going to have a hearing for local police radar, some members of our caucus threw up their hands, and they're not alone.

    There are several other bills before the General Assembly allowing local radar use as well.

    The PSP has been using radar technology since 1961. Like the State Police, municipal and regional police departments are challenged to provide safety measures to their communities in the most efficient manner. For all of us, the use of commonly accepted technology and equipment is critical to this mission. Colonel Noonan greatly appreciates and admires our partners in the police community in this Commonwealth, and believes it is time to authorize these very basic tools to advance the overall goal of making Pennsylvanias roads the safest in the nation.

    RADAR- continued from cover page

    It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, be-cause there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actu-ally strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and tim-id souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

    Theodore Roosevelt

  • Page 3PA State Police

    CHIEF COUNSELS COLUMNBy Nathaniel X. Rivera, OGC Extern

    In the case of Riley v. California, No. 13-132 (U.S. Jun. 25, 2014), the Supreme Court of the United States has recently issued a ruling on the long controversial topic of cell phone

    searches without a warrant, usually incident to a lawful arrest or inventory search. In its holding, the Court found that the Fourth Amendment requires a warrant to be obtained in order to search an arrested individuals cell phone for information, barring exigent circumstances. The ruling stems from two separate scenarios in which police seized cell phones possessed by the arrested and searched them without a warrant, obtaining valuable investigative information in the process.

    In the first scenario, David Riley was stopped for driving with expired registration tags. During the course of the stop, the officer learned that Rileys license was also suspended, and as such he proceeded to impound the car. When an inventory search of the car was conducted, officers found two concealed and loaded firearms under the hood of the vehicle and proceeded to arrest Riley. Incident to his arrest, officers searched Rileys smart phone and found information pertaining to a gang association, including a photo of Riley standing in front of a car that was possibly involved in a shooting. Riley was subsequently charged in connection to the shooting, with the aggravating factor of being in a criminal street gang.

    In the second scenario, a police officer observed Brima Wurie make an apparent drug sale. He was then arrested and police seized two phones, searching only one of them. The searched phone in this instance was

    a flip phone, more low-tech than a smart phone, with fewer features. While Wurie was under arrest, the flip phone began receiving calls from a number labeled my house. Officers accessed his call log in order to determine the calling number and traced the address. After arriving at the address, officers identified it as Wuries home and obtained a search warrant and seized 215 grams of crack cocaine, a firearm, and other contraband.

    The Court held that in order to search a cell phone, even pursuant to a lawful arrest, law enforcement generally must obtain a warrant. Under prior rulings, a search conducted pursuant to a lawful arrest may trigger an exception to the traditional warrant requirement. Generally, these exceptions are limited to the area within an arrestees immediate control or on his person, or in the case of a vehicle, when the arrestee is unsecured and within reaching distance of the passenger compartment at the time of the search. The Court found that digital data does not present any threat to an officer and is not subject to any of the above warrant requirement exceptions.

    The Court next dismissed fears of any potential destruction of evidence that would occur during the time the warrant was being obtained. The seizure of phones when permitted by a warrant would prevent the arrestee from deleting any data. It believed that even when a third party is capable of remotely wiping the data and/or when encryption is present, police departments have methods to prevent remote wiping and access encrypted data. As such, the potential destruction of data will not trigger a warrant exception.

    In sum, the Court held that in balancing the government interest against the intrusion upon privacy,

    the search is not reasonable and must generally require a warrant. The Court recognized that cell phones contain vast amounts of data, and to sift through that data is a large intrusion. Cell phones are so directly integrated into everyday life that a search of a cell phone is far more invasive then simply looking through someones pockets. The Court also recognized that cell phones provide access to information that is technically not even stored on the phone, such as cloud computing. The Court did, however, address the issue of exigent circumstances, and recognized that under certain conditions a search may still be permissible.

    This holding bears significant relevance upon the law enforcement community to avoid suppression and other related issues. In order to conform to this ruling, officers should make sure to obtain a search warrant prior to any access of a phone unless appropriate exigent circumstances are present. In order to prevent destruction of evidence remotely, best practices may include consulting with personnel trained in computer crime issues as well as turning the phone off or on airplane mode, placing the phone in an arson can or faraday bag, or as a last resort, remove the battery. Each of these options will prevent the phone from connecting to the network. Officers should not guess the passcodes of seized phones, as excessive guesses could eventually lead the phone to wipe its data. It is recommended to also consult with the District Attorneys Office on these issues.

    Upcoming Blood DriveOpen to active and retired personnel

    August 28th 12:00 - 3:30 p.m.

    Department Headquarters1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg

  • RETIREES SCOOPSBy Tpr. (Ret.) Jack Haase

    Page 4 PA State Police

    Association News: Joining the Retired State Police Association of Pennsylvania were: Marcia I. Barnhart, Hughesville; Jeffrey J. Brautigam, Gibsonia; Glenn C. Drake II, Shinglehouse; Stuart Frome, Hedgesville, WV; Joseph E. Kugler, Scott Township; Jeffrey S. Lee, Sykesville; Michael P. Mider, Denver; Steven G. Miller, Landisville; Roger L. Sheffield, Waterfall; and David J. Zigler, Centre Hall.

    Birthdays: John H. Angell, 86; William E. Balchunas, 95; Edward Bandyk, 90; Milton W. Brown, 90; Bernard A. Buhosky, 84; Francis X. Carroll, 82; Matthew Chabal Jr., 87; Albert L. DiGiuseppe, 86; Edwin J. Gorgacz, 81; Lamar G. Green, 85; Curtis W. Guyette, 85; Stephen M. Haschak, 86; Robert E. Isbitski, 80; Bert C. Korieth, 92; Stanley R. Krammes, 86; Theodore Lazar, 91; Richard T. Long, 80; James L. McCann, 85; William E. Miller, 85; Henry S. Miller, 85; Leo P. Moran, 93; James E. Murrman, 86; Ted M. Nagle, 90; Edward S. Pasi, 86; George E. Plafcan, 81; Harry Alexander Renton, 85; Gerald D. Roberts, 80; William A. Schneider, 82; Ruth M. Sheaffer,93; Paul J. Sita, 81; Joseph P. Skapik, 88; Charlotte M. Walters, 81; John R. Whitehorse, 80; and Robert J. Zinsky, 81.

    Retiree Sightings: On May 8, 2014, 17 members of the Daytona Beach area PSP retirees group held their monthly gathering. This is the second time they held a Memorial Day Service to remember, talk about, and honor those members who have died in the line of duty. Jim Demarco said this is an emotional experience. Those in attendance were: Fred Blank, Harry Anderson, Bill Kute, Jerry Wargo, Tom Zienlinski, Dan Sadley, John Katrinich, Steve Lengyel, Bob Luniewski, Joe

    Kearney, Larry Karns, Ray Mitchell, Dick Johnson, Bob Haught, Kevin Graham, Jim Amos, and Jim Demarco. Ray Mitchell brought along a quilt made by his sister, Sharon Stout, of Williamsport. She incorporated part of Rays old uniforms to create a beautiful piece of art.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the following and their family and friends:

    Sick Call: Retired AA2 Betty Garman, 76, suffered a stroke this past May. She was hospitalized, but has since been released and is home. Betty said the road to recovery is slow, but she feels good. She wants to thank everybody for their concerns. She said this will be the second time her name has appeared in PSP news; the first time was in 1938 when her childs birth was announced in the Bulletin, then the departmental newspaper. Betty served from 1970 to 2001 and was assigned to the Records and Identification Section. Best wishes may be sent to 2716 Banks Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103.

    Retired CT2 Donna Straining, 72, has had great difficulty in recovering from a knee replacement surgery. She has been in and out of hospitals and

    rehab extensively. She has developed an infection in her knee and another surgery is scheduled. There is no current, permanent address for Donna, so for now keep her in your thoughts and prayers. We will provide her address when it becomes available. Donna served from 1968 to 1997. Joann Cooper is keeping us updated on her condition.

    Deaths: Retired AA1 Joan K. Albert, 75, of Steelton, died June 18, 2014. She served from 1980 to 1999 at MPOETC.

    Retired PCO Dorothy I. Brink, 87, of Trout Run, passed away June 14, 2014. She served from 1967 to 1989 and was assigned to Troop F, Montoursville.

    Retired PCO Dorothy J. Dottie Dolan, 91, of Corry, died June 1, 2014. She served from 1978 to 1990 and was assigned to Troop E, Corry.

    Sgt. (Ret.) Robert J. Glosson, 72, of Warrington, passed away June 18, 2014. He served from 1968 to 1996 and was posted to Troop M, as the OIC of the Trevose Barracks. Bob was a man who was called to serve; first with the U.S. Air Force; then two years

    Retired Colonels Glen A. Walp and Jeffrey B. Miller met for dinner in Phoenix, AZ, as Col. Miller was in town to plan for the next Super Bowl. Both commented on what a good time they had catching up on old and new times. They had not seen each other in 19 years.

  • RETIREES SCOOPS

    Page 5PA State Police

    as a Patrolman with Upper Dublin Township; followed by his career with the PSP. He also served with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, from 1974 to 1993 and retired holding the rank of Lt. Colonel. Following his retirement, he continued to serve as the Chief of Police in Bedminster Township.

    Lt. (Ret.) Robert D. Harris, 91, of Indian Trail, North Carolina, passed away June 14, 2014. He served from 1946 to 1974, posted to Troop C, Clearfield. Robert was a veteran of WWII.

    Sgt. (Ret.) James D. King, 85, of Mechanicsburg, died June 26, 2014. He served from 1949 to 1982. The first ten years of Jims career was spent working patrol, criminal investigation, and at the Academy. In 1959, he was posted to the State Police Crime Laboratory in Harrisburg where he commenced a full-time training program in the Examination of Questioned Documents. Following this training, Jim was directed by the Commissioner to develop a Document Examination Section within the Crime Lab. Jim became recognized for his expertise in document examination. He extensively trained, lectured, and wrote and presented papers to various professional groups and agencies that were associated with this type of work. Following retirement, he established a successful private practice within the specialized field of document examination. Early in his career, he was a member of the Rodeo Team and was the music director during the teams shows. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served with the occupation forces in Japan, following WWII. He was much involved in community service and played in local bands. His obituary stated, Jim lived his life with fidelity and integrity

    Major (Ret.) Homer Redd, 89, passed away on July 20, 2014. He had developed breathing difficulty this past June and was admitted to the ICU in Latrobe Hospital. Homer was known as The Legend to many, including to his good friend Cpl. (Ret.) Bob Mertz (Association President). Major Redd enlisted in 1946 and retired as the Area III Commander, Troop A, Greensburg, on June 29, 1983.

    Former Tpr. Richard M. Sopchak, 71, of Scranton, died May 30, 2014. He was a member of the 20th cadet class. He left the Department at an unknown time. We list Richard in the event any member would be interested in knowing of his passing.

    We extend our heartfelt sympathy and offer of support to Cpl. (Ret.) Robert F. Halecky on the loss of his

    Cpl. (Ret.) Jim Olczak was spotted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the International Hot Air Balloon Festival where he spent time with two New Mexico State Troopers. Photo provided by Jim Olczak.

    The Daytona Beach area PSP retirees group proudly display the quilt made by Sharon Stout. See item in Re-tirees Sightings. Photo provided by Major (Ret.) James Amos.

    father, Michael, 90, who passed away June 15, 2015.

    Odds and Ends: We thank the following contributors to this months column: Dan and Lucy Fiscus, Robert Cessna, Beth Wilson, Gregory Langston, Buck Gilpin, Joann Cooper, Jim Amos, Glen Walp, and Jeffrey Miller.

    If you have news items, or retiree information, contact me at [email protected]; (570) 724-6243; or 146 Mt. Zion Road Ext., Wellsboro, PA 16901.

  • Colonel Noonan promoted five members to the rank of Sergeant and 45 members to Corporal during a ceremony at the State Police Academy on June 20, 2014.

    The newly-promoted Sergeants and their assignments are: BIPS - Steven L. Masteller; Troop B - Scott A. Bauer (Uniontown) and Richard O. Quinn (Washington); Troop C - Michael T. Carroll (Punxsutawney); and Troop D - Jamie D. Clark (New Castle).

    The new Corporals, listed by assignment, are: BCI Michael I. Fegley, Scott A. Leidigh, and Robert J. Levan; BCIS Jeffrey E. Dunkel; BESO - Michael C. Taylor; BFS - Darren L. Mortorf; T&E Michael W. Burns, Charles D. Fino, Sandra M. Soliday, and John M. Stover II; Troop A - Michael D. Miller and Jason E. Wagner (Greensburg); and Jason P. Michaels and Michael S. Noel (Somerset); Troop B - James A. Bablak, Scott L. Kemling, and David A. Vanderaar (Uniontown), and Isaac N. Lanham IV (Belle Vernon); Troop C Dale E. Gillette and James P. Puskar (DuBois); Troop F - Nicholas A. Cortes (Montoursville), Mark Dean (Coudersport), Robert J. Hadley (Lamar), Mark D. Hoban and John A. McGeary (Milton), and Charles J. Molecavage (Stonington); Troop H - Ellis E. Barnett, Ralph R. Maiolino, Jr., and Aaron B. Martin (Carlisle), Frederick J. Chadwick, III (Chambersburg), Eric R. Campbell (Gettysburg), and Brian R. Hoy (Newport); Troop J - Ronald W. Herman, Jr. (Lancaster), and Edward P. Ryan III (Embreeville); Troop K - Paul J. Carr, Jr. (Philadelphia), Ryan P. Burza (Media), and Arthur L. Johnson, Jr., and Brian C. Roberts (Skippack); and Troop M John T. Curtis and Kevin E. Kulesa (Bethlehem), Albert J. Calzola (Dublin), Jonathan E. Eckhart and Michael B. Jezercak (Fogelsville), and Patrick J. Corby (Trevose).

    Newly-promoted Corporals with Colonel Frank Noonan and Lt. Colonel Scott Snyder.

    Newly-promoted Sergeants with Colonel Frank Noonan and Lt. Colonel Scott Snyder.

    Page 6 PA State Police

    RANKING OFFICER PROMOTIONS

  • Page 7PA State Police

    MILEPOSTSSERVICE AWARDS

    35 YearsMaureen A. Hoyt

    30 YearsMelissa S. Onavage

    25 Years LEO Robert M. Bandy LEO3 Steven B. Brison Tpr. Rodney J. Capouillez Tpr. Michael J. Kowalick LEO3 John E. Mathias LEO3 Mary E. Mills MCEO Ronnie L. Reedy LEO Bradley W. Trusal LEO3 Sam Yurich

    20 YearsPCO Sandra R. Ammerman Helen M. Fuhrman

    15 YearsTpr. Chad M. Albert PCO Kimberly A. Amsdell Tpr. Douglas E. Artman Joette L. Burkholder-Lucas PCO Kelsey L. Espenshade PCO Scott H. Hyde Sarah L. Kinneer Melissa Morgan Lenahan PCO Bruce A. Mulhern Amy A. Paladino

    10 YearsBrandy L. Bevan Terri L. Buonpane Jody L. Logan Douglas P. Loomis PCO Amy J. Owens Daksha N. Parikh Amy C. Santelli-Ramp PCO Bree A. Whitsel

    5 YearsRakesh R. Gajera Michael J. Magera Susan A. Newcomer

    NEW CIVILIANSLA2 Sheena N. Apostolopoulos, R&ILA2 Tanya D. Bowen, R&ICT2 Moriah M. DAmico, R&IChemTech Dorothy J. DAurora, BFSC2 Unique S. Davis, BCISHRA2 Randall P. Flood, PSOChemTech Michelle M. Frank, BFSChemTech Jayne E. Hogue, BFSPCO Melissa A. Hoover, R, HonesdaleAA1 Billie J. Kauffman, R&DPCO George M. Mattos, N, SwiftwaterCT2 Heather E. McCarty, R&IC2 Tracy McDermott, R&INA1 Christopher M. McManuels, BITAD1 Sanjay K. Patel, BITPCO Robert F. Peebles, Jr., L, JonestownPCO Samantha R. Shoop, E, ErieCT2 Jessica N. Smith, BGE

    PROMOTIONSITGA1 James C. Dressler, BITFTS Colligan P. Huynh, R&ISA3 Bradford R. Schmittle, R&DMCEO Benjamin F. Shields, III, BOPSA2 Toni Yorks, R&D

    RETIREMENTSTpr. Eric F. Ager

    05/17/1993 05/09/2014Tpr. Charles W. Chaney III

    01/22/1990 05/09/2014Bambi L. Deimler

    11/07/1977 05/23/2014Tpr. Glenn C. Drake II

    01/03/1994 05/21/2014

    Tpr. Brian J. Genesi 07/25/1994 05/09/2014

    Tpr. Mark E. Glista 11/27/1989 05/23/2014

    Kathy A. Hall 06/22/1987 05/23/2014

    Capt. Steven R. Junkin 12/12/1988 05/09/2014

    Tpr. John L. McArthur 10/05/1992 05/09/2014

    Cpl. Todd M. Myers 03/15/1993 05/09/2014

    Tpr. Raymond M. Pecuch, Jr.01/03/1994 05/23/2014

    Cpl. Mark A. Schmelzlen07/25/1994 05/09/2014

    Tpr. Dustin S. Sosak07/25/1994 05/23/2014

    Tpr. Michael J. Sweeney07/25/1994 05/09/2014

    Cpl. Thomas G. Tarsavage05/14/1990 05/09/2014

    Cpl. Richard N. Townsend, Jr.02/03/1986 05/30/2014

    Tpr. Derek C. Unrue09/27/1993 05/09/2014

    Cynthia D. Warren01/28/2008 05/14/2014

    The CommunicatorPublished monthly for

    active and retired personnel.

    Items for publication and address changes may be sent to:

    Diana M. Bates, EditorPennsylvania State Police

    1800 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110

    [email protected]

  • Page 8 PA State Police

    HEADQUARTERSBESO

    CANINE:

    Tpr. Chad Labour and K9 Dano assisted Tpr. Gregory Pappas (Troop M, Belfast) during a traffic stop on I-78. Labour deployed Dano in a search of the exterior of the vehicle after the operator denied a consent search. Dano alerted and $75,000 was found in the trunk of the car.

    Tpr. Jon Mearkle and K9 Zigi assisted CIU members and postal inspectors during a parcel interdiction detail. Mearkle deployed Zigi in a search of a parcel, and a search warrant was obtained when Zigi alerted. The package contained 549 grams of cocaine within sealed cans of powdered milk.

    HDES:

    When an Adams County woman suspected her husband was making homemade explosives in their basement, members and FBI Agents were requested to respond to the residence to assist local police with a search warrant. Explosive mixture precursors and components were found. The man admitted that he was trying to make homemade C4 explosives and detonators. He also claimed that he was going to be a member of the next PSP Cadet class.

    Cpl. Jonathan Cook and Tprs. Nathaniel Drayer and Jason Scholl completed an advanced improvised explosive device electronics course. The 40-hour course was hosted by the Philadelphia PD Bomb Squad and presented by A-T Solutions, which provides training for the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security, as well as state and local law enforcement.

    SERT:

    Tpr. Kana Moy competed in three Brazilian Ju-Jitsu competitions within one month, taking first in the NAGA Pittsburgh Open, second in the IBJJF Vegas Open, and third in the IBJJF Boston Open.

    BFS

    The Howard Murray Award was given to Ashlee Mangan and Sarah Kinneer (Greensburg Regional Laboratory) and Angelina Biondi (Forensic DNA Division) by the Beaver County District Attorney for their efforts in the 1979 Catherine Janet Walsh homicide case. Evidence from this case, which was first submitted to the lab in 1979, was resubmitted in 2010. Their work and analyses led to significant findings used to convict Gregory Scott Hopkins this past November.

    Wyoming Ballistics Cpl. Joseph Gober sent cartridge cases from an attempted homicide case to the Bethlehem Lab for entry into NIBIN. The cartridge cases matched those in an aggravated assault in New Jersey three years prior. Gober met with New Jersey Examiners and determined the discharged cases from both incidents were from the same firearm.

    BGE

    MEADOWS:

    In conjunction with the Office of

    Attorney General, members arrested a roulette dealer for cheating. The dealer provided patrons a set of numbers to bet on and then would aim for those numbers to win. In return, the dealer received a tip from the winnings.

    MOHEGAN SUN:

    Tpr. Jeffrey Yagiello responded when a patron struck his girlfriend in the face and then fought with security officers. The man resisted arrest, but was quickly subdued and lodged in the county jail.

    MOUNT AIRY:

    Tpr. Victor Ortalano retired with 21 years of service.

    PENN NATIONAL:

    A man called Troop H and said that he was intoxicated and wanted to be arrested. Tpr. Daniel Clemente found him highly intoxicated and causing a disturbance near the casino. The man was obliged and jailed.

    THE RIVERS:

    While searching an unattended purse for identification, security officers discovered crack cocaine. Tpr. Robert Holman took possession of the drug and was able to locate the owner with the assistance of surveillance footage. A search of her person revealed another bag of crack (total combined weight of 49 grams), a gram of marijuana, and five stamp bags of heroin.

  • Page 9PA State Police

    SANDS:

    Tpr. Robert Grossi was alerted by a security officer that a patron was in possession of a counterfeit drivers license. The man handed over the fake ID in question, along with eight others. He also had a warrant for access device fraud.

    BOP

    Lt. Raymond Cook and Motor Enforcement Manager Douglas Kemp took possession of a commercial motor vehicle seized by Troop N. The 2001 Freightliner and semi-trailer will be used as an instructional aid during MCSAP trainings and for outreach initia-tives with the trucking industry.

    The Commercial Vehicle Safety Division coordinated a multi-agency motor coach safety detail at Hersheypark on May 29-30, 2014. In total, 32 motor carrier enforce-ment personnel from Troops J, M, and N, as well as from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and the Pittsburgh and Phila-delphia Police Departments participated. A total of 125 motor coach inspections were conducted during the two-day detail, re-sulting in 16 vehicles and nine drivers be-ing placed out of service for serious viola-tions. Almost half of all the motor coaches inspected had at least one safety violation.

    BSS

    Royalton Police Officer Tyler Zehring, son of Amy Paladino, poses with the boroughs newest police vehicle. Officer Zehrings vi-sion of a bicycle patrol was fulfilled through a set of wheels donated by the Latimore Township PD in Adams County.

    LCE

    Philadelphia LEOs seized suspected marijuana that was packaged for resale and nearly $1,300 at a bar in northern Philadelphia and cited the owner for sales after hours, failure to vacate, patrons possessing alcohol on premises after 2:30 a.m., and possessing controlled substances on the premises.

    In western Philadelphia, LEOs and local vice officers raided an establishment, arrested the bartender for liquor law violations, recovered a stolen, loaded semi-automatic 9-mm pistol, and seized beer, liquor, and $370.

    If the Department had marked 1959 Chevrolet Biscaynes, they would have looked very similar to this drawing. It is also possible that they could have been two-door or had a Bel Air trim instead of the Biscayne trim, if they existed.

    A Pennsylvania State Police Patrol Car Project is underway to document and collect images associated with the marked patrol units used since 1937. Responses can be directed to Marc J. Infantino, Director, Bureau of Staff Services, Pennsylvania State Police, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or by email to [email protected].

    Personal images of patrol units taken by members are sometimes the only visual images that exist of certain models used as marked patrol cars. If you are able to share your images, photocopies or email scans are the safest way to provide the image to determine if they fill a missing piece of the puzzle. If they do, arrangements can be made to get a professional copy made for historical preservation. Your help is most appreciated.

    Did the Department operate marked 1959 and/or 1960 Chevrolets for Patrol?

  • Page 10 PA State Police

    TROOPSTROOP A

    GREENSBURG:

    Tpr. Chad Cope was awarded as the 2013 State Police Officer of the Year by the Mid-Atlantic District Exchange Club. Pictured are George Hubbard (Chairman), Tpr. Cope, and Major George Kuzilla.

    Tpr. Sally Lander and Retired Lt. John Dell carried the torch for several legs of the Spe-cial Olympics 2014 Torch Run.

    Tpr. John Sherid stopped a commercial vehicle that crossed a bridge with a posted weight limit of 20,000 pounds. Unfortunately for the driver, the vehicle weighed over 188,300 pounds and cost him nearly $56,000 in fines.

    EBENSBURG:

    Sgt. Joseph Loughran and Tprs. Chad Albert, Samuel Ferguson, Frank Lasinsky, Daniel Sweeney, Scott Urban, and Thomas Williams, ran multiple legs of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. They covered over 13 miles on Route 22 through Indiana and Cambria Counties.

    Members assumed two shooting investigations. A man committed suicide and was found by his father, and a juvenile was dropped off at a hospital with multiple wounds to his face, chest, and leg from a pellet gun. He was later flown to the Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh due to his injuries. The boy said he was playing a game with two friends in which they would shoot each other with a pellet gun. After initially refusing to identify his buddies, the suspects were identified and charged with aggravated assault.

    LEOs from Harrisburg conducted Age Compliance Program details at the three liquor-licensed baseball stadiums within the nine counties covered by the District Office. All stadiums failed the check when their vendors sold beer to the underage intern. Administrative charges are pending against the liquor licensees of the three stadiums.

    Williamsport LEO Jannell College completed a five-month investigation into a private club in Lycoming County, which resulted in the arrest of the clubs treasurer for felony theft by unlawful taking and credit card fraud. The actor embezzled nearly $300,000 over an eight-year period.

    Allentown LEOs, assisted by Philadelphia LEO David Daza and Reading Police, investigated a speakeasy and confiscated over 24 gallons of beer, one liter of liquor, and more than $150.

    T&E

    Cpl. David Fedorshak (left) led members of the Ceremonial Unit in the posting of the colors for the National Anthem during the Big 33 football game at the Hersheypark Stadium. Shown with Cpl. Fedorshak are Jordan Hill from Steelton (defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks and 2013-14 NFL Super Bowl Champion) and, from the left, Tpr. Joshua Hulstine and Cpls. Jeffrey Martin and Gerald Hocker (assisted with field security). The Big 33 game, which consists of the top 33 high school players from Pennsylvania and the top 33 play-ers from Maryland, was held on June 14th. Maryland won in double overtime (31-24).

    The Ceremonial Unit presented the colors at a home Philadelphia Phil-lies game on June 12, 2014. The photo was taken by the Phillies photogra-pher, Heddy Bergs-man. From the left are Tprs. Anthony Petroski, Mark Prushinski, Michael Schultz, and Ethan Brownback.

  • Page 11PA State Police

    When a woman learned that her husband failed to report to rehab and was out buying drugs, she began to gather his belongings to throw him out. After discovering paraphernalia and several empty heroin packets, Tpr. Michael Downes was dispatched to the residence. In the meantime, Tpr. Robert Duffy stopped a vehicle for speeding and discovered the driver was the man in question. He was DUI/heroin, a passenger was in possession of 45 packets of heroin, marijuana, Xanax, and paraphernalia, and the registered owner of the vehicle was in possession of paraphernalia.

    KISKI VALLEY:

    After a vehicle became disabled and the driver was arrested for DUI/ alcohol and heroin, the actual owner of the vehicle reported it stolen. The owner was transported to the vehicle and was caught removing a crack pipe from the visor.

    SOMERSET:

    Members investigated numerous thefts and burglaries that occurred over a two-week period. The suspect targeted the elderly and Amish by going door to door to solicit his services for home repairs. Numerous charges were filed against the man who now resides in the Somerset County Jail.

    TROOP B

    BELLE VERNON:

    Tpr. Christopher Newman responded for a suspicious person at a methadone clinic and found the suspect in possession of 137 stamp bags of heroin.

    UNIONTOWN:

    Tpr. Albert Miles was pumping gas when a woman, who appeared to be intoxicated, pulled into the parking lot. After she was questioned and taken into custody, local police issued a BOLO for the stolen vehicle she was driving.

    WASHINGTON:

    While investigating a residential burglary, members went door to door and interviewed a neighbor who agreed to a consent search of the home. Several stamp bags of heroin and paraphernalia were found, along with the victims military grave markers that were hidden under a shed.

    Members conducted a DUI checkpoint during the midnight shift and made eight DUI arrests and one underage drinking arrest. Thirty-eight traffic citations and 50 written warnings were issued.

    WAYNESBURG:

    Tpr. Joseph Popielarcheck was dispatched to Walmart where two people were yelling obscenities at female patrons. He found a vehicle occupied by five people, with two rear passengers pointing pistols out the window. Tprs. Forrest Allison and James Orbash arrived to assist in the felony stop. Several of them were fugitives, and two Beretta-style BB guns and brass knuckles were located.

    TROOP C

    During Tpr. Brad Wilsons final days at the rehabilitation center in Atlanta, he was visited by (from the left) Capt. Bernard Petrovsky and Tprs. Mark Schrecengost and David Kunz.

    PUNXSUTAWNEY: TAM Ruth Defelice was named the

    Punxsutawney Career Womens Club 2013-14 Woman of the Year.

    Following several months of rehabilitation in Atlanta, Tpr. Brad Wilson made his way across the tarmac at the Dubois Regional Airport with his family and friends. WELCOME HOME BRAD!!!

  • Page 12 PA State Police

    CLARION:

    While off duty, Tpr. Ronald Calderone heard a faint screaming coming from a neighboring house and found the 76-year-old homeowner had cut his leg with an electric saw and was bleeding profusely. Calderone summoned an ambulance and provided medical attention until EMTs arrived.

    TROOP D

    BUTLER:

    After a man was shot in the face during a bonfire, Tpr. Gesuele Burello led the investigation and identified the suspect who had fled the party. Members later located the man and took him into custody.

    Tpr. Amanda Cagno pursued a pickup truck when the driver refused to pull over. Both male occupants fled on foot after the vehicle struck a tree. The passenger was taken into custody and charges were filed against the operator.

    Tpr. Brian Mechling discovered a one-vehicle crash. The operator disobeyed Mechling and fled the scene. Mechling utilized the PIT maneuver and brought the suspect to a stop. After giving more commands without compliance, Mechling utilized his ASP baton to break the drivers window and placed the vehicle in park. The suspect was then taken into custody.

    BEAVER:

    The Beaver County District Attorneys Office presented Tprs. J. Russ Jenkins and Raymond Miller with Top Gun Awards and recognized Cpl. Robert LaLama and Retired Tprs. Rocco DeMaiolo and Richard Matas for solving a 34-year-old homicide in which Gregory Scott Hopkins, a former Bridgewater councilman, was found guilty of strangling Catherine Walsh in 1979.

    A man believed his gun was stolen and drove to the suspects residence to retrieve it. Shortly after his arrival, he detonated a homemade explosive device and accidentally damaged his own vehicle. The occupants of the residence detained the man after an altercation, and Tprs. M. Gregory Beighey and James Jenkins responded. The Pittsburgh Police Bomb Squad retrieved and detonated the device in a nearby field. The man was arrested and treated for the injuries he sustained in the altercation.

    Over the Memorial Day weekend, Sgt. Arthur Giles cited a motorist for traveling 98 mph on I-376. Ten minutes later, a member of Troop T cited the same driver for speeding down the Turnpike at 83 mph.

    Giles stopped another speeding vehicle on I-376 and discovered the driver was DUI. The man tried to use his brothers identity, but Giles texted a photograph of the suspect to his employer who positively identified him.

    KITTANNING:

    A caller reported that a 13-year-old girl was being held against her will at a residence in South Bend Township. Tpr. Eric Church responded and was granted consent by the homeowner to search the house. Church determined the call was a hoax; however, he discovered a marijuana-grow operation with 20-30 plants.

    Cpl. Christopher Robbins and Tprs. Brad Walters and Gary Zurn responded to the Armstrong County Jail for a man who was wandering around the prison grounds and had tampered with an electrical junction box. They found him highly impaired by drugs with cuts and bruises all over his body. He was a former inmate who had previously vandalized the jails sprinkler system while he was incarcerated. The man

    was charged and then taken to the hospital due to his high degree of impairment.

    Tpr. Thomas Karlo was dispatched to State Route 28 for a disabled motorist and found an occupant flagging down passing motorists while four others remained in the vehicle. None of the five men could provide identification, and Karlo spotted one individual discarding a joint after taking a big huff. Three of the men exited the vehicle and approached the patrol vehicle with Karlo inside. A CLEAN/NCIC query indicated all five were from West Virginia, including a juvenile who was reported as a runaway. The driver provided consent to search the vehicle, and several loaded pistols were found in the trunk. The occupants were immediately detained, and a search warrant was obtained. A total of four loaded guns and drugs were found. All of them were arrested on drug and gun charges.

    Tpr. Eric Maurer spoke at a local elementary school about drugs and drug addiction to fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students. After his speech, a fourth grader informed her teacher that her dad was growing marijuana in their home. Maurer notified the Vice Unit who found a marijuana-grow operation in a greenhouse outside the residence, as well as one in a closet within the residence.

    MERCER:

    A man was driving down the road when he saw a snowmobile for sale and realized it was his snowmobile that was stolen five years ago. Tpr. Timothy Repp investigated and verified the identification number matched that of the snowmobile the man reported stolen in 2009.

    A medical center employee contacted dispatch when a patient gave fictitious information and advised

  • Page 13PA State Police

    them that he had a warrant. Repp apprehended the suspect on a bench warrant for traffic violations out of Hermitage and Lawrence County.

    Unbeknownst to a Walmart patron who entered the bathroom with his nine- and six-year-old sons, a predator was watching their every move. The suspect waited outside until the father exited the bathroom with his youngest son. The predator then entered the bathroom and waited until the nine year old exited the stall and began to wash his hands. The man approached the boy from behind, grabbed him around the waist, pulled him into a stall, and shut the door. The boy was able to free himself and began to flee, but was pulled back into the stall. The man released the child when he began screaming for his father. The boy ran from the bathroom and located his father nearby. The man fled the store into a wooded area where members conducted an extensive search. The actor was taken into custody early the next morning and charged with unlawful restraint and simple assault. Tpr. Joseph Morris led the investigation.

    A hotel manager allowed a 20-year-old guest to borrow her car to go to Walmart. When he did not return, she decided to check his room. The room was ransacked with a large amount of blood on the walls, along with empty pill bottles and multiple compressed air cans throughout the room. When other hotel employees located the man near the Walmart, he fled into the woods. Volunteer firefighters assisted Troopers in searching the woods where the suspect was eventually located. He was then transported via ambulance for a mental health evaluation and treatment for several self-inflicted cuts on his arms. Tpr. Brian Shevitz investigated.

    NEW CASTLE:

    A caller witnessed two men break into a vending machine on Route 422

    and called 9-1-1 with descriptions and a license plate number. After a BOLO was issued, Lt. Eric Hermick spotted the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The actors were taken into custody, and a search warrant uncovered numerous coins and one dollar bills, a crowbar, ski mask, and several money bags. Tpr. Randy Guy charged the men with criminal attempted theft, criminal conspiracy, and possessing instruments of crime.

    Tpr. Jason Young chased down a vehicle at a high rate of speed after the man failed to stop at a SHIELD West detail on I-76. The operator bailed out of the vehicle after several miles and fled into a field, but was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. He was DUI, was in possession of cocaine, and had a suspended license.

    TROOP E

    Tpr. Stephen Oler, Troop E Camp Cadet Di-rector, named Elizabeth Ann Abbate, daugh-ter of Sgt. Chris Abbate (T&E), and Dylan Yount as the Most Outstanding Cadets. Out of 87 Cadets, these two were chosen to at-tend the next Commissioner's Honor Camp.

    ERIE:

    A 17-year-old girl avoided serious injuries when her mini-van struck a train. Tpr. Aaron Hancheck believes the teen driver failed to heed the warning lights before driving onto the tracks. The conductor on the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Railroad engineer was uninjured.

    Tpr. Brandon Huffman attended the funer-al of fallen Las Vegas Metro Police Officer Alyn Beck. Officers Beck and Igor Soldo were approached as they ate pizza and were shot execution style by an anti-government couple who went on to kill a bystander before they died in a shoot-out with police in a Walmart store. Prior to enlisting in PSP, Huffman served with the LVMPD. He is shown with Officer Raymond Hall.

    Troopers were summoned to a residence where a man was brandishing a rifle at his girlfriends relatives who were helping her gather her belongings from the residence. The man was taken into custody without incident. In a back room of the trailer were two loaded rifles, a muzzleloader, and a makeshift shooting rest adjacent to the window. The mans girlfriend had two black eyes from being struck earlier in the week during an argument. Tpr. Joseph Titler arrested him on multiple counts of terroristic threats, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

    The Vice Unit and CLRT served a search warrant on a residence for an active meth lab. One man was taken into custody and jailed. The Erie Bomb Squad secured an inert grenade found at the home. Cpl. Scott Zinram was the lead investigator.

    CORRY:

    Tprs. Jason Hartman and Brian Palm transported a woman to the hospital after she slit her wrists. When the woman overheard discussion about a mental health commitment, she tried to pull her stitches out and flee the ER. While being restrained, she spit on,

  • Page 14 PA State Police

    kicked, and punched the Troopers, but was eventually restrained, treated, and transported to the county jail.

    A Union City man was charged with a string of all-terrain vehicle thefts in May. Tprs. Curtis Guntrum and Kyle Tobin investigated. The actor was jailed when he was unable to post bond.

    Tpr. Brian Palm cited a woman after her Rottweiler mauled her neighbors arm. Another neighbor heard the victim screaming and responded with a .357-cal. handgun. The dog was fatally shot, and the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.

    FRANKLIN:

    As the driver of a gasoline tanker truck attempted to brake for stopped traffic, the unit slid off the road and down a small embankment. The driver was pulled from the wreckage by a volunteer firefighter after the rig rolled over and burst into flames. The crash damaged power lines, the roadway, a house, and a garage. Nine fire departments responded and Tpr. Jeffrey Ames investigated.

    Tprs. Todd Bingman and David Brown were dispatched to a domestic and spotted marijuana plants growing inside the residence. Both parties involved in the domestic were charged with harassment and Act 64 violations.

    An 18-year-old man escaped a youth detention facility and fled into a wooded area after he shoved a staff member. He was located four hours later and jailed after failing to post bond.

    GIRARD: During a rolling domestic, the

    22-year-old passenger grabbed the steering wheel and attempted to steer into oncoming traffic. He then began punching the dashboard in an attempt

    to deploy the airbags. Once the female driver managed to pull over, she was struck in the arm by her boyfriend before he fled the scene. Tpr. Anthony Tettis charged him with reckless endangerment and harassment.

    A 24-year-old man was not wearing a helmet when he lost control of his ATV and was ejected after striking a tree. His father found him a day and a half later, and the coroner pronounced him dead at the scene. Tpr. Garrett Padasak investigated.

    Two motorists were traveling together in the right lane of I-90 when a group of ducks waddled into their path. When the lead driver tried to swerve to avoid hitting them, he was rear-ended by the 78-year-old woman following him. Both vehicles then pulled onto the berm. It was then that the woman realized her 99-year-old passenger did not have a pulse. Tpr. Mark Temel responded, as well as EMTs who transported the female victim to the hospital. It is believed that she suffered a heart attack during the crash. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

    Two girls, ages 16 and 18, engaged in a physical altercation over a marijuana pipe. Once the fight was over, the older girl jumped into the bed

    of a pickup truck and grabbed the 16 year old by the hair as the truck drove away. She dragged the adolescent down the road for a short distance, and when she released her, the young girl struck the pavement and suffered serious injuries. Tpr. Temel filed aggravated assault charges.

    MEADVILLE:

    While upstairs remodeling a room, a man and his wife heard someone downstairs. They discovered a neighbor and her dog, with whom they had problems with in the past for the dog running loose. The woman told them that her dog told her to enter the residence. Tprs. David Pifer and Thomas Muha responded and cited her.

    Tpr. Samuel Laureto arrested the chief of a fire department and the fire halls bookkeeper on multiple theft charges. The bookkeeper intentionally shorted deposits and kept the funds, and the fire chief wrote checks for cash from the club to purchase small games of chance tickets.

    Cpl. James Brown and Tprs. Timothy Dilijonas and Kurt Obendorfer responded to a one-vehicle crash and found a vehicle partially blocking the travel lane. The driver was lying across

    Past and present Troopers joined in formation prior to the Paul Richey 5K and half mara-thons. This was the fifth year for the formation run. The marathons benefit a Venango County domestic violence organization.

  • Page 15PA State Police

    the front floor of the vehicle. The man was not wearing his seatbelt and was apparently thrown around the inside of the vehicle during the crash, leading to his death.

    Tpr. Daniel Beatty was running radar on I-79 when a vehicle passed him at 85 mph. A traffic stop was made on the third-party rental vehicle, and an odor of raw marijuana emanated from within. When the driver denied a consent search, the new warrantless search rules were applied. Nearly a pound of processed marijuana was recovered, and the driver was charged with PWID and related violations.

    WARREN: New York authorities provided a

    vehicle description for a man wanted on robbery and assault charges. Cpl. Mark Cumberland spotted the suspect pull into a gas station and ordered him to the ground as he exited the store. He was taken into custody without incident.

    Members responded to Chapman Dam Park where a woman was struck in the shoulder by a stray bullet as she watched her grandchildren swim. She was airlifted for treatment as Tpr. Jeffrey Osborne investigated.

    Tpr. Todd Koebley investigated an indecent assault and charged a 56-year-old man with corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor. The actor was jailed in lieu of bond.

    Tprs. Osborne and Joshua White obtained a confession from one of two juveniles who stole a $4,000 ATV. He then led them to the location where he hid it a couple months prior.

    TROOP F

    MONTOURSVILLE:

    After a woman felt that her 14-year-old son was given meth during a visit with his father, Tpr. Ryan Kelley interviewed the boy. The teen detailed the process that his father showed him to manufacture meth, which was consistent with the known process. After the meth was produced, he and his father snorted lines together. The man then became extremely paranoid, strapped a .357-cal. revolver to his chest, and went outside to look for two people he believed were living underneath his trailer. After firing a shot into the ground, he returned to the trailer, loaded a 7-mm rifle, and went to search the area in his truck. After the interview, the boy was taken to a hospital where he tested positive for meth. A search warrant for the trailer was obtained, and Troopers proceeded to the residence with CLRT and SERT members. The man was extracted from the trailer by SERT and confessed to the manufacture and delivery of meth, providing it to his son, and being in possession of an unregistered firearm

    Members of Troop F, Emporium, installed a stone memorial on the front lawn of the bar-racks in memory of Sgt. John LaRose who lost his life in a tragic motor vehicle crash on his way home from work.

    Troop F, Coudersport, members participated in a Border to Border seat belt enforcement initiative with the NYSP.

  • Page 16 PA State Police

    with an obliterated serial number. During the search, pseudoephedrine, lithium, ammonium nitrate, and a .25-cal. semi-automatic pistol with the serial number obliterated were located. He was charged with eight felonies and one misdemeanor for manufacturing and delivering meth, as well as possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

    MANSFIELD:

    Tprs. Robert Evanchick and Tyler Morse were requested to secure the scene of a heroin overdose before EMTs arrived. They discovered a unconscious teenager in the residence, surrounded by assorted paraphernalia. Morse began CPR while Evanchick directed the ambulance driver. After extensive treatment and two weeks of hospitalization, the boy was expected to make a full recovery. Capt. David Young presented Morse and Evanchick with Let-ters of Commendation for their quick inter-vention and saving the young mans life.

    MILTON:

    Cpl. John McGeary and Tpr. Jared Reichenbach responded to assist social workers with serving a mental health commitment on a woman that had venom for the PSP. Upon arrival, they had to chase her as she ran back into the house. Once inside, all three went to the floor in a subsequent struggle. She was eventually committed to a local hospital where it took eight people to restrain her.

    Tpr. Chad Rarig arrested a woman for an on-view DUI during a midnight shift. Fourteen hours later, Tpr.

    Maxwell Andres arrested the woman for DUI a second time after she struck a parked vehicle.

    TROOP G

    BEDFORD:

    Tpr. Garry Ford interviewed a man who said a known associate threatened to kill him after he was a witness to illegal gun and drug activity. Patrol members located the suspect who was wanted by the U.S. Marshals and in possession of a large sum of cash. After search warrants were obtained, two guns, nearly $1,200, marijuana, and paraphernalia were seized. They also spoke to an individual who bought a gun from the suspect, because he was not permitted to purchase one. The suspect was arrested for persons not to sell firearms, terroristic threats, false identification to police, straw purchase, and related firearms offenses. Four local individuals were charged with possession by Tpr. Michael McCullough, and the actors girlfriend was arrested for false identification to police, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.

    Tprs. Shawn Clark and Charles Pennington spotted a vehicle with a faulty headlight and clocked it at 80 mph in a 55-mph zone. Clark activated the emergency lights, and the operator accelerated to speeds in excess of 100 mph and began passing cars by traveling in the oncoming lane. The operator approached an intersection too fast and lost control of the vehicle, which spun clockwise and turned onto its roof. The 17-year-old driver did not have permission to use the car and was immediately taken into custody.

    HUNTINGDON:

    Tprs. Donald Carnell and James Gority responded for a disabled vehicle and a disturbance. Prior to their arrival, it was learned that the vehicle was

    taken without the owners permission. Contact was made with a 23 year old at the vehicle who was under the influence. After field sobriety tests, he attempted to flee and was tackled by Gority. While struggling to get him handcuffed, Carnell drive-stunned the man and gained compliance. During transport to the hospital, he started to spit at the Troopers. He was lodged on a probation detainer.

    The Station received a Commissioners Award for having the lowest sick leave usage in 2013. Sgt. Harold Rinker accepted the award from Capt. Maynard Gray.

    Tpr. Jason Davis responded to the area of Trough Creek State Park for a drowning. A 23-year-old man was attempting to swim across a portion of Lake Raystown and could not make it. His sister and girlfriend were with him and saw him go under, but could not save him. Fire personnel located the body under 24 feet of water with an underwater camera.

    After reading the newspaper that morning, Tprs. Cory Despot and Joseph Miller apprehended a 35-year-old man who was listed as the countys most wanted for failure to appear on DUI, fleeing and eluding, driving under suspension, and various traffic-related offenses.

    LEWISTOWN:

    At approximately 7:00 a.m., a motorist crossed into the opposing lane of traffic and hit another vehicle head-on. The at-fault driver tried to flee in

  • Page 17PA State Police

    his vehicle, but only made it about 400 feet before it was rendered disabled. He then exited his vehicle, walked past the car he hit, which was on its roof with two injured people inside, and fled the scene. One of the victims sustained extensive lacerations to her head and legs. While an extensive search was being conducted for the at-fault driver, the registered owner of vehicle arrived at the scene. She advised that her boyfriend was the driver, but then decided to provide false information and refused to cooperate. She was arrested and taken to jail. Her boyfriend was spotted walking along State Route 522 shortly after 4:00 p.m. by an off-duty member who was involved in the search earlier that morning. Tpr. Stephen Griffith apprehended the man without incident. He was charged with a felony count of accidents involving death or serious bodily injury while not properly licensed (he was DUI suspended) and numerous other violations. Tpr. Christopher Wilson investigated.

    PHILIPSBURG:

    Sgt. John Murarik became the new Station Commander.

    Tprs. Nathan Owens and Jason Shaffer responded to a convenience store where someone smashed out the glass from a rear door with a tire iron and stole over $50 in tobacco products and $400 cash. Tpr. Richard Hoover reviewed the surveillance footage with one of the clerks who identified one of the subjects. Hoover interviewed the suspect, obtained a written confession, identified three other individuals that were involved, and charged all four actors with burglary and related offenses.

    ROCKVIEW:

    Tprs. Nicholas Buchheit and Jay Pollick made an on-view DUI stop. While en route to the hospital, the 35-year-old man attempted to hang

    himself with the rear passenger seatbelt. Buchheit immediately pulled over, and the Troopers struggled to free the seatbelt from around his neck. Buchheit utilized his Taser and drive-stunned the man to gain control. He calmed down and the transport continued. He then tried to use the front passenger seatbelt to hang himself. During the struggle over the seatbelt, he attempted to take Pollicks firearm. Pollick secured him until they made it to the medical center, and hospital security officers helped to secure him in a restraint chair. He underwent a mental health evaluation and was placed in the Centre County Prison on $75,000 bail. Pollick received a swollen upper lip from a head butt.

    Capt. Maynard Gray presented a Letter of Appreciation to Tpr. Barry Rowland for a traffic stop that resulted in the seizure of 3,000 packets of heroin and two arrests.

    On behalf of all Station members, Sgt. Douglas Clark accepted a Letter of Appreciation for their enforcement efforts in May that resulted in 26 DUI arrests, 1,206 traffic and 39 seatbelt citations, and 660 warnings.

    Tpr. Richard Swank responded to a rural wooded area for a report of marijuana plants. The grow operation was discovered by a member of the public and was posted on social media outlets. Numerous people, including teenagers, were aware of the location. Seventy plants were seized as a result.

    Several Station and Troop members participated in a simulated active shooter drill at Penns Valley High School. The

    drill consisted of various Centre County law enforcement agencies, emergency response agencies, school district employees, and role players.

    TROOP H

    CARLISLE: Cpl. Brian Henneman interviewed

    a truck driver who responded to an ad for a physical so he could renew his commercial drivers license (CDL). A woman, who identified herself as a doctor, picked him up at a rest stop on I-81 and drove him to her residence for the exam. After problems subsequently arose when he attempted to renew his CDL, he contacted PSP. The woman was using a fake name and was not even a doctor. After a search warrant was served on her residence, she was charged with numerous forgery, fraudulent practices, theft, and drug offenses.

    A man arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound that permeated his fibula. He claimed he was shot while walking down the street. A short time later, a homeowner called the Station. He had just returned from Maryland and found blood in his residence and one of his pistols lying out in the open, which appeared to have been fired. Tprs. John Boardman and Donn Reid discovered the victim had been dog sitting for the homeowner. The victim eventually admitted to being accidently shot by a friend. The homeowner was taken into custody for an unrelated warrant.

    When a drug deal at a convenience store went bad, the dealers brother stabbed the buyer in the abdomen with a pocket knife. As the siblings took off in a vehicle, the victim gave chase with his girlfriend. After several miles, the siblings exited their vehicle and began kicking and pounding on the buyers vehicle. When the buyers girlfriend rolled down her window several inches to hear what the siblings were saying,

  • Page 18 PA State Police

    she was rewarded with pepper spray to the face. The siblings took off again, but were stopped by Patrol members a short time later. Tpr. Matthew Johnston investigated.

    GETTYSBURG:

    Tpr. Scott Denisch investigated a high school teacher that was found in possession of child pornography. A school-issued laptop and his personal external hard drive were seized and analyzed. Numerous child pornographic images were discovered on the external hard drive, and the teacher was charged accordingly.

    Tprs. Chad Lasher and Jonathan Wolfe were on patrol when two motorists began to race at speeds over 100 mph. Both operators were under the influence of drugs and alcohol and cited with DUI, driving without a license, recklessly endangering, speeding, and racing.

    Tprs. Chad Lasher and Eric Stuby responded to a shooting-in-progress and found a woman with a gunshot wound to her leg. The suspect, who later turned himself in at the Station, had picked up a loaded Taurus .45 ACP and opened the cylinder. The gun discharged immediately after he closed the cylinder, striking the woman.

    LYKENS:

    Tpr. Christopher Wright provided a tour of the Station to Boy Scout Pack 3311.

    TROOP J

    LANCASTER:

    Tpr. James Trunfio responded to the report of an unconscious man on the side of the road. He located the man who was alert and provided a fake ID. During a CLEAN/NCIC query that indicated an active warrant for failure to appear, the man took off running. After a short foot pursuit, he was taken into custody and found with 28 empty bags of heroin and a five-gallon bucket full of copper.

    Tpr. Scott Prushinski initiated a traffic stop and found the driver highly intoxicated. The operator defecated and urinated inside his pants and registered a 0.31 percent on a PBT.

    AVONDALE:

    A juvenile detention facility learned a man and his wife were scheduled to visit their incarcerated daughter that evening and both were wanted on various warrants. Tpr. Brian Kundick apprehended the man, who was wanted by the District Attorney and three separate police departments, as well as the woman, also wanted by the District Attorney.

    Cpl. Michael Stoner spotted a man, who he had past dealings with, sitting in his vehicle and ran a CLEAN/NCIC query on him. The suspect had an active warrant for a probation violation and was taken into custody. He was also in possession of heroin and associated paraphernalia.

    Cpl. Richard Townsend retired with 28 years of service.

    EMBREEVILLE:

    Tprs. Timothy Connolly and Matthew Truscott assisted local police when a hot air balloon landed in a field with uneven terrain while still having horizontal velocity. This caused the basket to overturn, dumping the pilot and ten passengers. The pilot died at the hospital.

    Tpr. James Hoban stopped one of two speeding motorcycles. After he obtained the identity of the second operator, he filed charges against both riders.

    TROOP K

    PHILADELPHIA:

    Tprs. Patrick Casey and George Groves stopped a vehicle that was swerving and nearly struck another vehicle. The driver was DUI and in possession of ten baggies of marijuana and various prescription pills.

    Tprs. William Crowley and Daniel Woody stopped a vehicle that ran a red light. When the driver claimed that he did not have his drivers license, they returned to their vehicle to run a CLEAN /NCIC query. The passenger exited the vehicle and took off running. Crowley pursued him into the woods and deployed his Taser to take him into custody. A Live Scan determined the driver had multiple warrants for an armed robbery and drug offenses in Philadelphia. The passenger was charged with resisting arrest.

    MEDIA:

    Tprs. Steven Randolph and James Sparenga stopped a driver who disregarded road closure signs. The operator and a passenger were in possession of crack, and the operator was DUI. Two days later, Tpr. Joseph Yingling stopped the same driver,

  • Page 19PA State Police

    arrested him again for DUI, and apprehended his passenger who was a fugitive and in possession of heroin.

    As Tprs. Shante Felder and James Lark were directing traffic due to downed trees and wires, they had to take evasive action to avoid being struck by a DUI driver who was subsequently apprehended.

    Saturation patrols in Chester City resulted in: eight drug, six criminal, and one DUI arrest; the apprehension of four fugitives, and the issuance of 14 traffic citations.

    Cpl. Felix Acosta spotted a vehicle fleeing from a construction site theft. Responding Troopers apprehended the driver, who was a known Pagan and armed with a handgun.

    SKIPPACK:

    Patrol and CIU members investigated after a man called the Montgomery County 9-1-1 Center and said there would be an explosion at an unnamed school. The suspect was narrowed down to a student at a middle school in PSPs jurisdiction. The building was evacuated and searched by two PSP bomb dogs and the sheriffs department. No explosives were found. After a search of cell phone records, the 13-year-old boy was arrested.

    Tpr. Derik Frymire attempted to stop a motorcycle for multiple traffic violations when the operator took off. The pursuit was terminated when the operator created dangerous situations for other motorists. After determining his identity, the 21-year-old man was found hiding under his mothers bed.

    Cpl. Richard Schroeter and Tprs. Joseph Harmon and Jordan Sonka responded when a 30-year-old man was stabbed by his girlfriends 17-year-old son. The teen fled the residence, but called the Station and provided his

    location. He was taken into custody without incident, and the victim was treated for his wound.

    Tprs. Harmon and Sonka stopped a motorist who was driving erratically. The known drug user was found in possession of eight bags of heroin.

    TROOP L

    READING:

    While conducting follow-up interviews in an investigation, Tpr. Vicente Lopez discovered a chop shop and located several stolen vehicles. The Auto Theft Unit responded and a meth lab was also found. Five people were arrested.

    Tprs. Robert Hipp and Thomas Moran were running radar in a grass median when their marked vehicle was rear-ended by a DUI motorist. Cpl. James Marasco responded and arrested the driver.

    FRACKVILLE:

    Tpr. Edward Lizewski and members of the Major Case Team responded when a body was found inside a tarp in the woods. Within seven hours, they identified the victim and arrested the suspect.

    HAMBURG:

    The Station was notified by OnStar of a stolen vehicle from Virginia traveling east on I-78 near Exit 19. Troopers positioned themselves near Exits 29 and 30. As Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect accelerated at a high rate of speed and took the off ramp into Hamburg Borough. After speeding through a parking lot full of pedestrians, he struck Tpr. Michael Kosloskys vehicle nearly head-on. The force of the impact caused both units to strike an unoccupied postal delivery vehicle, which sustained heavy damage. Koslosky was transported by ambulance to the hospital where he was treated and released. The suspect, a 21-year-old man from New York, was also treated at the hospital and then released into PSP custody. He was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering, receiving stolen property, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, unauthorized use of automobiles, and numerous traffic violations and was incarcerated in lieu of $500,000 straight bail.

    Members were requested to assist in the search for a man that escaped from sheriffs deputies as they were escorting him at the courthouse. After absconding, the suspect stole a vehicle

    During the search for a suspect in a bank robbery, Cpl. Leo Luciani, Troop L, Frackville, left no stone unturned and stopped a slow mov-ing train to ensure the suspect was not onboard.

  • Page 20 PA State Police

    and was last seen on State Route 501. While Hamburg and Schuylkill Haven members searched the area, local police found the vehicle abandoned in a trailer park. The man was transported to a remote location in Tilden Township where a perimeter and command post were established. The Tilden Township PD and Schuylkill County Sherriffs Office assisted in setting up the perimeter. Members and local canine units searched the area with the assistance of the Aviation Unit. The suspect was found in a heavily-wooded area by using handheld infrared equipment and taken into custody without incident.

    SCHUYLKILL HAVEN:

    Tprs. Robert Oakley and Holly Reber-Billings responded to a parking lot for two subjects that appeared to be fake fighting. The actors were taken into custody for the possession of three concealed firearms without permits and paraphernalia.

    TROOP M

    BETHLEHEM:

    While initiating a traffic stop, Tprs. Michael Hodgskin and Brandon Jimmerson saw the driver throw several little packets out passenger window. Seven small bags of marijuana were recovered, and the operator was found to be DUI.

    BELFAST:

    Tpr. John Stepanski was traveling through Easton when he heard a young woman scream and spotted a naked man bathing in the fountain in the middle of the roundabout. When the man was ordered out of the fountain, he fled on foot and then began doing jumping jacks on the sidewalk. Stepanski used his Taser and took the subject into custody. The actor admitted to smoking synthetic marijuana and was charged.

    DUBLIN:

    A homeowner called 9-1-1 after his neighbor began discharging a firearm near his residence. The man also reported that his neighbor periodically screams incoherently and discharges a firearm into the woods behind their homes. Cpl. Harry Dannehower and Tpr. Jordan Houck went to the neighbors residence and could hear him yelling in his residence. They asked him to come out, and he eventually complied. When asked why he was yelling, he explained that he was telling the voices he heard to leave him alone. He said that he discharges the firearm periodically to get some peace and quiet. After Troopers informed him that they were concerned for his health and he should go to the hospital, the man got in his truck and locked the doors. Once he exited, he was handcuffed for his safety and taken for a mental health evaluation. He agreed to allow the Troopers to take his firearms for safekeeping.

    As Vice President Joe Biden was giving a commencement address at the University of Delaware, a plane violated protected air space. The pilot was directed to land at the Doylestown Airport where members took custody of the man. The U.S. Secret Service interviewed the pilot at the Station and determined there was no threat involved.

    FOGELSVILLE:

    After a woman heard a baby crying in a neighboring home for an hour, she went to check on the family. She found the baby in a crib, drinking spoiled milk, and wearing a leaking diaper. The 10-month-old child was placed into the custody of CYS, and the 24-year-old mother, who spent the evening at a bar drinking, was charged with reckless endangerment.

    TREVOSE:

    Tpr. Justin Oliverio was dispatched when a homeowner returned from a cruise and found their nephews friend sleeping in their shed. Oliverio charged the man with trespassing.

    A woman contacted the CIU after she was stopped by a security officer in a Park and Ride lot for enforcement of a vehicle code violation. The security guard was interviewed and confessed to attempting to enforce stop sign violations within the Park and Ride. Charges were filed accordingly by Cpl. Joseph Altieri.

    TROOP N

    HAZLETON:

    The Wright Township PD and Luzerne County Township Supervisors recognized Tpr. Robert Gavin and Officers Michael Marshall (Wright Township) and John Gyory (Fairview Township) for their heroic actions to save the lives of the residents in a fire last year that claimed two lives.

    A woman returned home and found that one of her sons had several people inside. When she confronted him, he shoved her into a coffee table and struck his brother twice in the face with an unknown object. Tprs. Michael Foux and Justin Sannie found the woman with abrasions on her wrist and thigh and the male victim with a head contusion and bloody nose. The actor was in possession of 21 grams of cocaine.

  • Page 21PA State Police

    BLOOMSBURG:

    Acting on a tip, members apprehended a 21-year-old state correctional inmate, who failed to return to an intermediate punishment program facility, and a 28-year-old state correctional inmate who escaped through a window from a pre-release reentry facility.

    FERN RIDGE:

    While Tprs. Christopher Bohenek, James Rabel, and Christopher Tomlinson were assisting EMS at a residence, Bohenek ran the subjects name and learned the man had two warrants. After searching the building and coming up empty handed, a woman suggested that he may be hiding in the attic. Tomlinson ascended into the attic crawlspace and spotted a human arm sticking out from a bunch of insulation. The subject was then apprehended and jailed.

    LEHIGHTON:

    Tpr. Anthony Kingsley spotted a dirt bike traveling on State Route 209, and the operator took off when he initiated a traffic stop. After passing numerous vehicles, cutting vehicles off, and nearly striking a vehicle, the man stopped the bike and was taken into custody.

    During an argument, a man was shot in the chest at close range. Troopers found the actor still at the scene and took him into custody. The handgun was found after a search warrant was executed. The victim was airlifted for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

    Tpr. Martin Bibla investigated and identified a suspect that burglarized a business and stole bundles of electrical wiring. The man was located and charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, and receiving stolen property.

    SWIFTWATER:

    Tpr. Brian Borowicz investigated a residential burglary in which four long guns and over $4,200 in jewelry were taken. Borowicz developed and identified a suspect during the investigation. He and Tpr. Casey Newcomb interviewed the man who admittedly sold two of the firearms to a sporting goods store in Stroudsburg. The man was arraigned on charges of theft, unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and theft by deception.

    Local police requested all available officers within Monroe County to respond to an intersection on Main Street in Stroudsburg Borough to assist with a fight involving approximately 60 people. Stroud Regional Police arrested multiple people on various charges, including disorderly conduct and aggravated assault on police. The assisting members maintained police presence until the large crowd dispersed. Cpl. Robert Miller and Tprs. Joseph Bissol, Andrew Depew, Donald Macrae, Michael Strenchock, and Tyler Waters responded, along with Tpr. Gerald Lydon (Fern Ridge).

    TROOP P

    WYOMING: After Tpr. Mark Conrad stopped

    a vehicle and arrested the driver for possessing three grams of cocaine, Vice members executed a search warrant on the actors residence. An additional 11 grams of cocaine with a street value of $64,000 and paraphernalia were recovered.

    LAPORTE:

    A commercial truck driver, who was making his first ever delivery, stopped at the Station to ask for directions. In doing so, he struck a One Way sign in the driveway and a large decorative boulder, moving it several feet. Tpr.

    Donald Cole investigated and cited the driver.

    SHICKSHINNY:

    When Tpr. Michael Wienckoski stopped a pick-up truck, he discovered the driver was DUI suspended and the female passenger had an active warrant. The driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol during questioning, and Tpr. Kenneth Edwards assisted in taking both occupants into custody.

    Members investigated and solved four homicides in 22 days, as well as several ongoing burglary investigations.

    TUNKHANNOCK:

    Tpr. John Youngblood was unanimously voted Trooper of the Week by his peers for solving two burglaries, three motor vehicle thefts, and the theft of a generator in a quarry. During the course of that investigation, a marijuana-grow operation was discovered and terminated, clearing cases in multiple counties.

    TROOP R

    DUNMORE:

    A local police chief stopped a vehicle for speeding, but a chase ensued after the driver sped away. The driver hit a pregnant motorist, spun out, and then fled on foot into the woods. Cpl. Scott Walck and Tpr. Mark Prushinski apprehended the man and turned him over to local officers who filed numerous traffic and DUI charges.

    TROOP T

    On July 23rd, The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) implemented a 70-mph speed limit on a 100-mile stretch of toll road in the south central part of the state. The 70-

  • Page 22 PA State Police

    mph zone is on I-76 between the Blue Mountain Interchange (exit #201) and the Morgantown Interchange (exit #298). Strict enforcement of the new 70-mph speed limit will be observed by our Troopers during all Turnpike speed-enforcement operations, said Lt. Edward Murphy, Staff Services Section Commander.

    GIBSONIA:

    Tpr. David Daniels spotted an abandoned vehicle at Toll 76, and a CLEAN/NCIC check revealed it was stolen from Westmoreland County. When the local PD did not want the car processed, it was impounded.

    KING OF PRUSSIA:

    Tpr. Gerald Kling investigated when a passing motorist reported an injured woman sitting on a guiderail shortly after 8:00 a.m. The 21-year-old woman was located and said that she and her friends had left a bar at 2:00 a.m. On the way home, she began to feel sick and asked the driver to pull over. She got out of the vehicle and her friends drove off. She was then struck by a passing vehicle, which continued without stopping. Having sustained a broken leg, she crawled under the guiderail and passed out. Within minutes, her friends realized that she was not in the car and immediately returned to the location, but could not find her. They returned again while Kling was at the scene and advised that they tried to report her missing to local police when she did not show up for work that morning. They were interviewed and provided consistent statements on the chronology of events.

    A motorist was traveling at a high rate of speed when he attempted to change lanes and sideswiped a BMW. He lost control and was ejected when the vehicle rolled over. Tpr. Frank Weston found the man semi-conscious with major head and leg injuries

    and immediately tended to him until EMTs arrived. Tpr. Ernest Barber investigated.

    Tprs. Thomas Bishop, David Dannehower, and Corey Monthei assisted Tpr. Thomas Fleisher with a SHIELD interdiction stop. A vehicle search resulted in the seizure of 10 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $32,000 and the arrests of both occupants. Both individuals failed to post the $100,000 straight cash bail and were taken to Chester County Prison.

    NEW STANTON:

    Sgt. Kenneth Vogel, Gibsonia Station Commander, stopped a speeding vehicle and discovered the 20-year-old driver was wanted by the Allegheny County Sherriffs Office. Cpl. William Potter and Tpr. Edward Hood of New Stanton assisted, along with Tpr. Eric Valentine of Gibsonia.

    A truck driver was traveling too fast to safely negotiate a curve and lost control of the semi-trailer. Three large steel coils dislodged from the trailer as the truck and trailer rolled onto its side and slid for about 200 feet. Two of the coils rolled over a steep embankment in a remote wooded area, and the third came to rest on the road beside the trailer. The driver was wearing his seatbelt and sustained only minor bruises and abrasions. Tpr. Ronald Salandro investigated and charged the driver while Cpl. Charles Seilhamer performed a MCSAP inspection.

    A vehicle with its dome light on came up beside a tractor trailer as it was traveling in the middle lane of the Turnpike. Realizing the car was riding beside him and not passing him, the truck driver looked over and saw the driver of the car masturbating. The truck driver switched to the far right lane, but the other driver switched lanes to stay next to him. The truck driver then called 9-1-1 and decreased his

    speed, and the passenger car slowed as well. The truck driver pulled off the highway and obtained the suspects license plate number as the man continued down the road. Tpr. Stanley Bradish and Tpr. Heath Waszo went to the suspects residence and obtained a full confession.

    NEWVILLE:

    Tpr. Mark Gray stopped a truck that was reported as driving erratically/dangerously through a work zone in Bowmansville. The vehicle also exited the Turnpike at an alarming speed. After becoming agitated, confrontational, and babbling incoherently, the driver was arrested for DUI. During transport, the actor became disorderly and transitioned the handcuffs from the rear to the front. Gray drive-stunned the man to gain compliance and secured the subject with the tie rope restraint. Several York members assisted.

    Tpr. Gray responded to a report of a motorist with a flat tire in the left lane of a restricted construction zone. Gray suspected the driver was DUI, and a consent search uncovered 35 packets of heroin, valued at $20,000. The driver was arrested for DUI, and both occupants were arrested for PWID heroin.

    SOMERSET:

    While the Donegal Safety Patrol was clearing zones, he saw a van parked in the emergency pull off area and found the driver unresponsive. EMTs attempted to revive the man, and the coroner determined he died from a massive heart attack. Tpr. Christopher Patrick investigated and Bedford members notified the mans wife.

  • To Kiski [Valley] State Police:

    Please accept this correspondence as a letter of appreciation for the outstanding assistance your agency provided to our police department during a time of need. The catastrophic stabbing incident that occurred at the Franklin Regional Senior High School on April 9, 2014, was something that every police department hopes never happens. During a time that could have very easily overwhelmed our agency, you came to the aid of our officers and the Franklin Regional School District. Your assistance played a key role in helping us to bring under control a dire situation that threatened the safety and well-being of our officers, medical personnel, students and school staff.

    So, on behalf of the Murrysville Police Department, thank you for whatever role you and your staff played in assisting us during this time of need. If I can ever be of help or assistance to you, please feel free to contact me. Anything you need from my officers, just ask.

    Sincerely, Thomas P. Seefeld Chief of Police

    On April 9, 2014, shortly before the school day began at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, a 16-year-old student entered the school in all-black clothing and armed with a pair of eight-inch kitchen steak knives. He began stabbing and slashing anyone he could in the crowded hallways until he was subdued by the assistant principal and another student. Twenty students, ages 14 to 17, and the school resource officer were stabbed during the boys five-minute rampage. Two other students suffered unrelated injuries while fleeing the school, and the attacker suffered injuries to his hand.

    A student pulled the fire alarm shortly after the attack began, which encouraged many people to evacuate the school and reduced the number of victims. Fortunately, everyone recovered from their injuries, which ranged from mild to critical in nature. The actor was charged with 21 counts each of attempted homicide and aggravated assault and a count of possession of a weapon on school property. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Pennsylvania State Police Kiski [Valley] Barracks:

    On behalf of the Municipality of Murrysville, thank you for your assistance during the April 9 incident at the Franklin Regional High School. While no town expects this type of emergency situation to occur, we sincerely appreciated your Departments rapid response and support.

    Robert J. Brooks

    Mayor Municipality of Murrysville

    Page 23PA State Police

    WHAT OTHERS SAY...The Department is made aware of many letters and emails regarding the performance of our personnel. The following are examples:

  • May 2, 2015, will mark the 110th anniversary of the Pennsylvania State Police. To celebrate this historic occasion, the Museum (PSP-HEMC) has contracted with the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center to be the site for the following events:

    Friday evening, May 1, 2015 reception hosted by the PSTASaturday evening, May 2, 20