(From left) Chief Deputy Adam Berry, Sheriff Sean Kilkenny, Deputy Zachary DeSanto, Corporal Timothy Metz and Corporal Andrew Noto.
The sheriffs were honored during a special ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.
(The following information was provided by the Montgomery County Office of Communications.)
Five Montgomery County Deputy Sheriffs have been awarded the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement during a special ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Corporals Andrew Noto, Timothy Metz and Ryan Volk, and Deputies Zachary DeSanto and Miranda Kapusta are among the 12 recipients that were recognized for their selfless and heroic acts during an explosives training incident in 2022.
The FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement is awarded for extraordinary and exceptional meritorious service in a duty of extreme challenge and great responsibility, extraordinary and exceptional achievements in connection with criminal or national security cases, or a decisive, exemplary act that results in the protection or the direct saving of life in severe jeopardy in the line of duty.
On September 15, 2022, the Montgomery County Bomb Squad along with the Pennsylvania State Police, were assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation conduct a Post Blast Investigators Class. At approximately 10 a.m., Bomb Technicians from the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI were placing devices inside of a vehicle. While placing these devices, one unexpectedly detonated resulting in the injuries of five technicians. Immediate action was taken by members of Plymouth Ambulance along with other personnel at the scene to treat and transport the injured technicians.
The other recipients are FBI Special Agents Eric Young, Brian Corcoran and Jared Witmier, and from Plymouth Ambulance, Chief Thomas Trojansky, Battalion Chief Matt Wells, and Emergency Medical Technicians Shaun Semmeles and Sabine Homa.
“The very best of our community responded with amazing calm and professionalism the day of the training accident.” said FBI Special Agent Michael Ruibal.” Their combined efforts that day, as well as the days and months which have followed have been truly inspirational.”
“I could not be prouder of the way these deserving recipients and their support teams banded together to render aid to their fellow officers in the midst of a difficult and dangerous situation, and their commitment to public safety, their professions, and each other,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny.
