Officer Retires After 28 Years Of Service In Newtown Township

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Newtown Township Police Department has announced the retirement of Officer Shane VanDerMark following a 28 year career with the department.

VanDerMark worked for the Upper Makefield Police Department before being hired by Newtown Township Police Chief Martin Duffy on September 24, 1997.

Throughout his career, he served as a D.A.R.E. officer, as a member of the Major Incident Response Team (M.I.R.T.) and on the township's Highway Patrol Motorcycle Unit.

VanDerMark received several commendations during his time with Newtown, including one for bravery for an outstanding arrest in 2015 involving an armed and dangerous subject that occurred in 2015 and one for Life Saving for an off-duty incident that occurred in 2019.

Newtown Township Police Officer Shane VanDerMark. (Newtown Township Police Department)

He also received countless letters of appreciation and recognition from members of the community and neighboring police departments.

Words often used to describe him are kind, understanding, helpful, fabulous, professional, personal, respectful, persistent, sensitive, considerate, and prompt.

"Shane VanDerMark was an exemplary member of this department. We thank him for his service and wish him a long, happy, and healthy retirement," said Police Chief John Hearn.