Chesco DA: “Always Look For Helpers”

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said in difficult times when there appears to be relentless anger and divisiveness, it provides great solace and comfort to know that there is a multitude of good people out there who care about making this world a better place.

The people Ryan are talking about are law enforcement officers, first responders, Good Samaritans and others who make Chester County a better and safer place to work and live.

“Always look for helpers,” Ryan said before announcing the winners of the district attorney’s annual awards during a ceremony Thursday in the historic Chester County Courthouse.

Ryan quoted Fred Rogers, the soft-spoken, cardigan-wearing teacher to many young children when he was on television from the late 1960s to 2001.

She said he once recounted sage advice given to him by his mother for times of crisis or difficulty: “Always look for the helpers. There is always someone who is trying to help.” Ryan said.

“Mr. Rogers took those words to heart and later said, ‘I came to see that the world is full of doctors, nurses, police and firemen, volunteers, neighbors, and friends who are ready to jump in to help when things go wrong.’ ”

Ryan said the awards are about honoring people for their acts of bravery, courage, and dedication to others.

“I am very proud to be part of a team of helpers; it gives special meaning and purpose to our lives,” Ryan said.

“If you are in law enforcement or are a first responder, you are a helper because you rush to aid victims – children who were brutally beaten or families devastated by the senseless murder of a loved one. You are the ones people instinctively look for when they need help in times of crisis.

“Prosecutors are helpers. They fight for justice for victims, families, and survivors inside courtrooms before judges and juries because we do our best to enforce the law and because society demands it.

“Our essential support staff are helpers because they keep the trains moving and the aisles clear. In our office, they assist prosecutors, detectives, law enforcement, and the public across the county. They are the ones we all go to in a clutch situation.

“Helpers are neighbors, friends, and acquaintances who show up in times of need. It takes a unique quality in someone to make them jump into a dangerous, unknown, and risky situation. And not everyone has that quality, but those who do are among us today.”

Ryan acknowledged that the recipients of the awards told her either “it was a team effort, or they only did what they did because it was the right thing to do. And that is true.”

The awards presented included:

• Prosecutor of the Year – Deputy District Attorney Emily Provencher Detective of the Year – Chester County Detective Maurice Nadachowski
• Law Enforcement Officer of the Year – North Coventry Township Detective Timothy Prouty
• Administrative Professional of the Year – Regina Stewart
• Commendation: The Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police for their extraordinary efforts in the investigation, arrests, and prosecution of the attempted murder of a 9-year-old in Westtown Township on Nov. 23, 2020. The suspect, Dimitrios Moscharis died in prison before his case went to trial.
• Commendation: The West Fallowfield Police for their extraordinary efforts in the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of the homicide of Samuel Algarin in West Fallowfield Township on Sept. 13, 2018. Hakeem Smith of Oxford was convicted in April of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
• Citation: Evvie Harrison for her extraordinary heroism in saving a 13- year-old from a child predator on July 9, 2020, in South Coventry.
• Citation: Stacey Tshudy for her extraordinary act of heroism and life saving assistance to an injured police officer on Sept. 3, 2021, in Coatesville. The officer was responding to a theft when a store employee stabbed the officer. She applied pressure on the wounds and accompanied the officer to the hospital.