Montco DA Commends Limerick, Upper Providence Police Officers, Others

LIMERICK TOWNSHIP, PA — Seven police officers from Limerick and Upper Providence township departments were commended for their handling of a dangerous hostage situation, in a ceremony held by Montgomery County's DA.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele honored eight civilians and 43 law enforcement officers with commendations for their extraordinary efforts and exemplary work in protecting and serving the residents of Montgomery County.

Awardees were honored Oct. 7 at a socially distanced ceremony in the Montgomery County Fire Academy. The Montgomery District Attorney’s Law Enforcement and Civilian Commendations ceremony was the first held since May 2019, due to COVID-19, the DA's Office said. It was live-streamed so family and friends could watch.

"Montgomery County residents are always willing to step up to help our law enforcement officers do their job of keeping us all safe and making sure criminals are apprehended and prosecuted. And we are blessed here in Montgomery County to have some of the finest law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania, working each and every day at an extraordinarily high level of professionalism," said Steele.

"These honorees are among the best, and I am proud to honor each of these civilians and law enforcement officers for their actions," Steele added.

Officers from the Limerick Township and Upper Providence police departments were honored for "heroic actions in a dangerous domestic violence hostage situation that ended with the safe rescue of all victims," according to a news release about the event.

Those recognized were Sgt. Matthew Daywalt, Officer James Reilly, Officer Sergio Rodriguez, and Sgt. Brian Tyler, all of the Limerick Township Police Department along with Cpl. John Oliveri, Officer Michael Sheehan, and Officer Steve Dise, all of the Upper Providence Township Police Department.

Other honorees who received commendations are listed here with explanations from the DA's Office of why they are being recognized:

Civilian Commendations
Duongvida "Vimul" Ros
For calling 911 after observing Walmart shooter Keenan Jones ditch the firearm used in the attack, and then waiting on the scene to show police its location.

Nadirah Muhammad, Kyle Stewart, and Tim Snowberger
For key assistance in the investigation and criminal prosecution of Lawrence Crawley, who was convicted of the first-degree murder of his former girlfriend outside of her place of employment in Whitpain Township.

William Tobin
For his longtime, essential assistance with Montgomery County's Drug Take-Back Day.

Ken Hoffman
For his more than 20 years of volunteering in Abington Township, especially his assistance with the Abington Township Police Department.

Linda Sposato
For her commitment, as an essential member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, to the fight against drunk driving and her commitment to its victims.

Tracy Thompson
For her bravery in coming forward and her crucial testimony in the prosecution of Montgomery County Correctional Facility corrections officers on assault and tampering with evidence charges.

Law Enforcement Commendations
Ofc. Matt Hungerford, Cheltenham Township Police Department
For rushing in as the Cheltenham Walmart shooting was in progress.

Ofc. Eric Fries, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Ofc. Christopher Kubik, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Ofc. Alexander Muller, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Ofc. John O'Brien, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Ofc. Michael Pleasants, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Ofc. Andrew Rook, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Ofc. Jeffrey Seamans, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Det. Bryn Garner, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Det. Joseph Hunsicker, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Det. John Mick, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Det. Greg Pitchford, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Thomas O’Donnell, Norristown Fire Department Chief
For extraordinary work in saving a family and its pets after a defendant threw a firebomb on their home’s porch, then successfully investigating and arresting the defendant.

Det. Rick Beaghley, Abington Township Police Department
Det. Shawn Nesbit, Abington Township Police Department
Det. Cindy Pettinato, Abington Township Police Department
For the successful investigation and prosecution of a predator who sexually assaulted two children.

Det. Rick Beaghley, Abington Township Police Department
Det. Michael Coyle, New Hanover Township Police Department
Det. Joel Greco, Lansdale Borough Police Department
Det. Constance Marinello, Upper Merion Township Police Department
Det. William Walter, Conshohocken Borough Police Department
For their dedication to protecting children from internet predators, especially in their response to handling child pornography reports that were 50 percent higher during COVID-19.

Ofc. Harrison Colcher, Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department
Ofc. Minjoo Kim, Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department
Ofc. Yin Young, Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department
Sgt. Raymond Royds Jr., Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department
For the safe apprehension of an armed man who was threatening bystanders and police.

Ofc. Daniel Dalton, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Ofc. Joseph Lalor, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Ofc. Robert McGuire, Lower Merion Township Police Department
Ofc. Michael Theiss, Lower Merion Township Police Department
For the heads-up arrest of two individuals who ultimately had executed a string of armed robberies of 7-Eleven convenience stores.

Sgt. Thomas Falcon, Pennsylvania State Police
Tpr. Richard W. Sanzick Jr., Pennsylvania State Police
Tpr. Todd Wright, Pennsylvania State Police
For the excellent investigation of a heinous relationship violence murder in Perkiomen Township.

Det. Shea Johnson, Upper Providence Township Police Department
Ofc. Nate Walters, Abington Township Police Department
Det. John Wright, Upper Merion Township Police Department
Det. Zach Zeoli, Abington Township Police Department
For dedication to investigating all overdose deaths in Montgomery County and arresting the drug dealers who sold the deadly poison, thereby making Montgomery County safer.

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