Heroes Risking Lives Daily Recognized By Chesco District Attorney

WEST CHESTER, PA —Chester County District Attorney’s Office this week recognized law enforcement, first responders, Good Samaritans, and others for their extraordinary contributions to make Chester County a safer place in 2022.

“Today, we focus on our heroes,” District Attorney Deb Ryan said. “Whether you’re in law enforcement or a first responder who risks your lives every day to ensure our safety, a prosecutor who works tirelessly to obtain justice, one of our outstanding support staff who keeps this office running, or just a good person who intervenes when you see something bad, you are a hero.”

The district attorney's office handled 7,000 cases last year.

“We solved murders, successfully prosecuted those who committed domestic violence and sexual assaults, and obtained numerous convictions for complex white-collar cases where defendants stole millions of dollars from people who trusted them,” Ryan said.

The award recipients rescued children from danger and abuse and helped dismantle a human sex-trafficking organization and high-level drug enterprise.

The office also prosecuted a man who committed domestic violence against his wife and used their 11-year-old child as a human shield when police arrived.

In addition, Ryan said that the office ramped up efforts to attack the drug epidemic by implementing the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative to provide those with substance use disorders free treatment.

“These awards are about honoring those individuals for their acts of courage and dedication,” the district attorney said. We call on our heroes every day to stand by us in our most traumatic and life-altering moments and to keep us all protected.”

Commendations were also awarded to two women who intervened to stop a man from harming a child at a local convenience store, and to law enforcement officers for their bravery in handling a barricaded gunman who shot at police.

“All of these courageous men and women are dedicated, resilient, and advocate for justice," Ryan said. "No one does this alone, and we are successful because of their professional collaboration with each other, law enforcement, and the people we serve.”

The award recipients were:

• Prosecutor of the Year: Deputy District Attorney Kate Wright
• Chester County Detective of the Year: Detective Oscar Rosado
• Administrative Professional of the Year: Jessica Sarcione
• Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: West Whiteland Detective Michael Buchmann
• DAO Commendation: East Whiteland Police Department, Chester County DAO Child Abuse Unit, Fairfax VA Police Department & CVC Advocate Claudia Hurtado for their outstanding investigation, arrest, and prosecution of a Human Sex Trafficking Organization.
• DAO Commendation: West Chester Regional Emergency Response Team & Westtown East-Goshen Regional Police Department for their heroism in the face of gunfire by a barricaded suspect.
• DAO Commendation: Madison Waugh and Elizabeth Awtry for their extraordinary act of heroism in helping to protect others in danger in a domestic violence case in Kennett Square.