NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
12 May 2004

MAYOR PRESENTS POLICE AWARDS

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today gave official recognition to the outstanding efforts of more than 85 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 1980s 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 though 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.

Citizen Commendations

To Todd R. Klick, Jake Wyland, Miranda Feldman and Michelle Dauberman, for their intervention in a distraught man’s attempted suicide on May 25, 2003.

To James Esposito and Re:Source Pennsylvania, for their generous donation of carpeting for the Uptown Community Policing Center.

To Wendy Banks, for her astute observation of three armed juveniles on December 28, 2003, and her timely notification to police, leading to their arrests.

To Aaron Holler, Joel Mutschler and Steve Beck, for their courageous efforts in apprehending a fleeing robbery suspect on August 8, 2003 in the area of N. Second and Liberty Streets. The trio observed a ‘strong arm’ robbery of an elderly man and began a foot pursuit of the suspect, who managed to evade capture and escape in a waiting vehicle. The three were able to secure the fleeing vehicle’s license plate number, leading to the arrest of the perpetrator. The victim, in good health before the incident, sustained a serious head wound that may have led to an incapacitating stroke just days after the incident. The victim remains in a nursing home with paralysis, memory loss and speech difficulties.

To Joseph McCabe, for his efforts in saving a potential drowning victim on May 31, 2002. While fishing along the Susquehanna River, he observed an elderly female’s wheelchair careening out of control down the steps and into the river. He and another unidentified male helped hold the victim’s head above water until additional rescue personnel could arrive and help extricate her wheelchair.

To Jong Yi, owner of Young’s Grocery Store, for his courageous efforts in thwarting an armed robbery at his store on February 12, 2004, and protecting his mother-in-law from being attacked by the robbers. Yi was able to detain and secure one of the suspects until police arrived and arrested him. A second suspect escaped.

To David, Ken and Robert Szostek, for their assistance in capturing a downtown robbery suspect on September 1, 2003.

To Tyrone Poole, for his courageous actions in apprehending and detaining a robbery suspect at 17th and Berryhill Streets on July 22, 2003.

To Eugene Barclit, for his pursuit and capture of a purse-snatching suspect on April 15, 2004.

To City Police Communications Center Dispatchers Lisa Terrell and Kristen Baker, for their excellent coordination of communications and dispatches related to the December 14, 2003 robbery of a Cameron Street fast food restaurant.

Officer of the Year

To Harrisburg Bureau of Police Lt. John F. Goshert, commander of the Organized Crime and Vice Control Unit. Hired by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police in September, 1975, Goshert was promoted to Sergeant and supervisor of the vice unit in 1985, and has since distinguished himself through an extraordinary record of accomplishment in the fight against illegal drugs and other serious crimes. Diligent, dedicated, intelligent and compassionate, Goshert has been frequently recognized for his outstanding efforts, including such awards as the Dauphin County Police Officer of the Year(1986), FOP Lodge 92 Officer of the Year(1995), Sons of the American Revolution Officer of the Year (2002), 14 Harrisburg Bureau of Police Unit Commendations and 6 Bureau Merit Awards, and numerous other awards from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Lt. Goshert has been responsible for the arrests of literally thousands of drug trafficking, illegal weapons and prostitution suspects during his career.

Award of Bravery

To H.P.B. Police Officer Daniel B. Jenkins, for his intelligent actions on April 18, 2003, in preventing a knife-wielding potential suicide and aggravated assault suspect from taking his own life.

To H.P.B. Officer John A. Salvadia, for his quick and intelligent actions on April 30, 2003, in which a domestic violence suspect was apprehended with three stolen weapons and over $6000 in counterfeit money.

To H.P.B. Officer Angel M. Gonzalez, for his courageous pursuit and capture of an armed robbery suspect on June 17, 2003.

Award of Heroism

To H.P.B. Investigator David A. Lau, who while off-duty and unarmed on June 17, 2003, overheard and observed an armed suspect threaten another person. Lau intervened with the suspect and was thus able to prevent any civilian casualties.

To H.P.B. Officer Deborah J. Reigle, for her quick and intelligent actions on January 4, 2004 in providing CPR and other life-saving actions to an unconscious male victim, thus saving his life.

Award of Merit

To H.P.B. Officer Christopher J. Delozier, for his quick and intelligent actions in resolving an April 30, 2003 domestic violent incident involving a shotgun-wielding suspect. Delozier’s fast thinking and intervention skills led to the suspect’s quick arrest, during which three different weapons were recovered.

To H.P.B. officer Steven A. Bradney, for his intelligent May 13, 2003 actions in identifying and capturing an armed homicide and drug trafficking suspect.

To H.P.B. Investigator Timothy M. Carter, for his diligence and intelligent investigatory work in identifying ten different suspects responsible for raping and corrupting the morals of a 13-year old female juvenile that had run away from home on May 22, 2003.

To H.P.B. Lt. John F. Goshert and Investigator Stephen M. Blasko, for their quick and intelligent actions and intervention in preventing a May 25, 2003 suicide attempt off of the Walnut Street Bridge.

To H.P.B. Officers John A. Salvadia and Kirk E. Aldrich, for their June 11, 2003 actions in arresting three graffiti vandals, resulting in more than 50 Criminal Mischief and Conspiracy charges.

To H.P.B. Officer Joseph C. Marshall, for his quick and courageous actions in responding to a June 15, 2003 Allison Hill shooting incident. While on foot patrol near 13th and Chestnut Streets, Marshall heard the gunshots and ran to investigate, observing the fleeing suspect and leading to his capture.

To H.P.B. Officer William T. Snyder, for his quick and intelligent actions on June 17, 2003, in effecting the arrests of two armed drug trafficking suspects wanted in connection with an earlier shooting incident.

To H.P.B. Officer Stephanie F. Barrelet, for her intelligent actions during a June 18, 2003, traffic stop that led to the arrest of a drug trafficking suspect and the confiscation of nearly an ounce of crack cocaine and over $6,500 in cash.

To H.P.B. Officers Kenneth L. Young and Edward V. Grynkewicz, Jr., for his intelligent police actions during a June 23, 2003 traffic stop that led to the arrest of the operator on drug trafficking charges. A large amount of marijuana, crack and powdered cocaine, an assault rifle and a handgun were all confiscated.

To H.P.B. Officer Kirk E. Aldrich, for his July 11, 2003, who was dispatched to a robbery call while assisting another unit with a traffic stop. His expedited assessment of the robbery suspect’s description matched that of the vehicle operator from the traffic stop he had just left, and led to his subsequent arrest.

To H.P.B. Officers Ryan J. Neal, Tyron E. Meik, Milo G. Hooper, Michael S. Lamonto and K-9 Dakota, and Dauphin County Probation Officers Timothy Kinsinger, Chad McConnel, Justin Anderson and David Christian, for their intelligent, coordinated efforts in securing the arrest of an armed robbery suspect responsible for multiple area armed robberies. The suspect had been listed as amongst the region’s Ten Most Wanted and was twice the focus of Crimestoppers.

To H.P.B. Investigators Victor M. Rivera, Kevin R. Duffin and David A. Lau, who while conducting a missing child investigation on July 18, 2003, determined from the child’s mother that her boyfriend had murdered him and buried him in the backyard of an Third Street residence.

To H.P.B. Laura Davis, for her quick and intelligent actions on July 21, 2003, in conducting a traffic stop that led to the arrests of two armed robbery suspects.

To H.P.B. Investigators Rodney D. Shoeman and Hector L. Baez, who on July 29, 2003, effected the arrest of an individual responsible for a spate of auto break-ins in downtown parking garages. The suspect eventually confessed to thirteen different break-ins.

To Lancaster Bureau of Police Officer Nicole Stouch, for her undercover drug trafficking investigatory work in July, 2003, that resulted in 72 separate illegal drug purchases from 45 different suspects.

To H.P.B. Officers Daniel B. Jenkins, Marc A. McNaughton and Jeffrey H. Clark, for their August 17, 2003, response and actions following an armed robbery. The trio caught one suspect after a brief foot pursuit, and while questioning the detainee observed additional suspects passing by in a vehicle. The officers gave chase and arrested two additional suspects.

To H.P.B. Investigators Michelle R. Bailey and Timothy M. Carter, for their August 20, 2003 investigation of a violent armed robbery at an Uptown Shopping Center Jewelry Store. Through intensive investigative work the pair were able to identify the perpetrators, resulting in the arrest of four individuals.

To H.P.B. Corporal Luis A. Rodriguez, for his dedicated, intelligent efforts in effecting the arrest of two bank robbery suspects, and the solving of ten auto theft cases. While researching a stolen vehicle used in an August 28, 2003 bank robbery in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, Cpl. Rodriguez liaisoned with multiple other state and local police agencies, leading to the formation of a special task force that eventually captured two suspects in December, 2003. The pair were also responsible for numerous other robberies, auto thefts and other crimes dating back two years.

To U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Andrew B. Cunney, Dauphin County Drug Task Force Officer R.C. Vogel, Dauphin County Parole Officers Daniel B. McIntyre and James E. Vines, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Fawcett, for their exemplary coordinated efforts in the execution of multiple drug trafficking search warrants on August 4, 2003, that resulted in the arrests of three suspects and the confiscation of more than a quarter pound of uncut heroin, multiple packaged bags of heroin, $3,000 in cash, two firearms and related drug packaging materials.

To H.P.B. Corporal Litho D. Ware and Officers Angela J. Hohman, Carlos M. Oquendo and Raymond R. Lyda, for their quick and intelligent investigatory work in determining the identities of four armed suspects wanted in connection with two armed robbery incidents on October 26, 2003. All four suspects were subsequently arrested on multiple robbery charges.

To H.P.B. Officers Libertad Ramos and Thomas F. Ryan, for their quick actions on October 26, 2003, in preventing a potential suicide victim from jumping from the Mulberry Street Bridge.

To H.P.B. Investigators Todd A. Abromitis and Jason D. Brinker, and Officers Jeffrey D. Marsh and Kirk E. Aldrich, for their quick actions in effecting the arrest of an auto theft suspect on December 23, 2003. While interviewing the victim of an auto theft incident, the suspect called the victim’s cell phone and offered its return for $500 in cash. The police officers quickly set-up a sting of the suspect, resulting in his arrest and the return of the stolen vehicle.

To H.P.B. Corporal Lydell V. Muldrow and Officers Robert E. McKenzie, Peter Rivera, Michael J. Savel and Julian B. Adams, whose quick and intelligent cooperative efforts led to the December 28, 2003 arrests of three armed juveniles wanted in connection with a series of convenience store robberies.

To H.P.B. Officer Tyron E. Meik, for his December, 2003 arrests of multiple suspects on federal gun and drug warrants, as well as the confiscation of a weapon from a juvenile suspect.

To H.P.B. Officer Steven R. Prisbe, for his courage and intelligent police work in capturing an armed suspect at the John Harris High School on January 13, 2004.

To U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Philadelphia Division, Mobile Enforcement Team Group Supervisor Special Agent Michael Cannon, and Special Agents Jeffrey Lauriha, Phillip Bernal, Eric Johnson, Craig Waddell, William Schohn, Margaret VanDoren, Marc Godlewski and Richard Woodcock, for their intensive undercover drug trafficking operation during the period of October, 2003, to January 2004, that resulted in the arrests of 64 suspects, 111 drug purchases, and the seizure of more than $11,000 in cash.

To Susquehanna Township Police Detective Donald Cairns and Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division Detective Todd Johnson, for their exemplary assistance to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police’s drug interdiction efforts. The pair worked closely with the city’s Vice Unit as undercover officers in a variety of situations and circumstances, resulted in hundreds of drug trafficking and possession charges, and the confiscation of large amounts of drugs, weapons, vehicles and firearms.

To H.P.B. Investigators Christopher Krokos and Donald E. Heffner, and Officers Joseph A. Zimmerman and Robert W. Swank, for their quick and intelligent actions in arresting a carjacking suspect in January 2004, which ultimately led to the arrest of twenty additional defendants.

To H.P.B. Investigators John C. O’Connor and Matthew A. Taylor, for their exemplary police work and investigation of multiple convenience store robberies that occurred in November and December of 2003. Their efforts led to the arrest of two juvenile suspects in early 2004.

To H.P.B. Investigator John O’Connor, for his February 15, 2004, arrests of two suspects wanted in connection with five armed robberies in the city.

To H.P.B. Sergeant Sharon L. Capello and Officers Richard C. Gibney, Garrett R. Miller, Daniel B. Jenkins, Kelly J. English and John A. Salvadia, for the March 5, 2004, for their intelligent and coordinated drug law enforcement activities in the 500 block of S. 15th Street, which led to the arrest of a suspect in possession of an half ounce of crack cocaine and over $3,600 in cash.

Distinguished Unit Citation

To the Harrisburg Bureau of Police’s Community Policing Power Shift members, including H.P.B. Cpl. Brenda Holmes and Officers James T. Galkowski, Ryan J. Neal, Tyron E. Meik, Quentin E. Kennedy, Milo Hooper and Brenda E. Holmes, Dauphin County Adult Parole and Probation Officers Gretchen Lagus, Larry Muza, Andrew Cooper, Tim Kinsinger, Chad McConnel, Steve Merino and

Jason Groff, and Dauphin County Juvenile Probation officers Rob Ocker and John Christman, for their concerted 2003 efforts that resulted in a total of 744 arrests, and their seizure of 26 firearms, over $30,000 in cash, 33 ounces of cocaine, 512 bags of heroin, 5.5 pounds of marijuana, 120 vials of PCP, and 72 Ecstasy pills, altogether valued at more than $120,000.

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