Montco DA honors civilians, law enforcement officers, K-9 with commendations

In a ceremony Tuesday at the Montgomery County Fire Academy, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele honored four civilians, 40 law enforcement officers and a police K-9 with commendations for their extraordinary efforts and exemplary work in protecting and serving the residents of Montgomery County. 

Of those members of law enforcement honored, one police officer was awarded the “Medal of Valor,” the District Attorney’s highest honor, and four officers/troopers were honored with “Heroism” awards for their actions to protect the citizens of Montgomery County.

“Montgomery County has some of the finest law enforcement officers anywhere, and I’m honored to be able to showcase their incredible bravery, exceptional work and dedication to protecting and serving Montgomery County residents, as well as recognize the actions of citizens who stepped up to help law enforcement do their job and help victims,” said Steele. “Montgomery County wouldn’t be the safe and wonderful place it is without this teamwork. I am proud to recognize each of these civilians, police officers, detectives and K-9 Patton for their exemplary performance.”

Honorees who received commendations and a brief description are:

MEDAL OF VALOR

The District Attorney’s most prestigious award, the Law Enforcement Medal of Valor is presented to those select members of law enforcement who bravely placed their lives at risk to protect the citizens of Montgomery County. The Medal of Valor was awarded in 2023. Before that, it was last awarded in 2012.           

Cpl. Scott Samuels, Upper Merion Township Police Department

For bravery in the face of life-threatening danger during the apprehension of a defendant who tried to flee from law enforcement after a traffic accident near the King of Prussia mall, but then crashed his vehicle and opened fire, putting lives at risk. 

LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMENDATION FOR HEROISM

Tpr. Jonathan J. Loesch Jr., Pennsylvania State Police

Cpl. Jeffrey Simmons, Pennsylvania State Police 

For extraordinarily brave and selfless actions during the pursuit of a U-Haul truck driving at a high rate of speed the wrong way on Route 422, and for the execution of a PIT maneuver that successfully ended the chase, saving the lives of many motorists.

Ofc. Edward Butterworth Sr., Norristown Police Department

Ofc. Matthew Walsh, Norristown Police Department

For their remarkable actions when a pickup truck with a girl onboard rolled into the water at River Front Park in Norristown, and for the heroic rescue that ensued, saving a father and daughter from drowning.

CITIZEN COMMENDATIONS FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

Samantha C. Blagus (Lansdale, Pa.)

For remaining at the scene of a fatal shooting, comforting a pregnant woman who had been shot multiple times at a gas station, and for providing impactful, eyewitness testimony during the homicide trial.

    Samantha Blagus, of Lansdale, was given a Citizen Commendation for Exceptional Service.
  

Clare Henderson, Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center

For dedicating her professional life to advocating for children who are victims of sexual abuse and exploitation and for tirelessly working to support children in need.

Jonathon Petrow (Mount Laurel, N.J.)

For stopping to comfort to a pedestrian who was the victim of a hit and run as he tried to cross Butler Pike in Whitemarsh, and for providing police with video from his Tesla, which helped to identify and convict the defendant.

Cauldon D. Quinn (Fort Washington, Pa.)

For providing key eyewitness testimony at trial, helping to secure a conviction for a defendant who attempted to kill a police officer near the King of Prussia mall.

LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMEDATIONS FOR EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE

Sgt. Ryan W. Singleton, Lower Providence Township Police Department

Ofc. Timothy Arthur, Lower Providence Township Police Department

For the outstanding investigation of horrific crash that killed a pregnant woman and her unborn baby resulted in the convictions of the dump truck driver and the truck owner.  

Det. Gregory Pitchford, Lower Merion Township Police Department

For the exemplary investigation of a gunpoint carjacking of a woman that initially had limited evidence, ultimately leading to a guilty plea.

Det. Michael Laverty, Upper Merion Township Police Department

Det. Andrew Rook, Lower Merion Township Police Department

For the outstanding investigation that dismantled a bi-coastal drug trafficking organization that was flooding the Southeastern Pennsylvania region with methamphetamine and other illegal drugs.   

K-9 Patton, Philadelphia Police Department

Ofc. Brian Quirple, Philadelphia Police Department

Ofc. James Zimmerman, Philadelphia Police Department 

For the significant assist in a missing person-turned-homicide investigation and for providing key testimony during the murder trial about cadaver dog training and their alerting to human remains.     

Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark, U.S. Marshals Service

Deputy U.S. Marshal Steven Eckman, U.S. Marshals Service

PSP Tpr. Matthew Pauly, U.S. Marshals Task Force

Delaware County Deputy Sheriff Christopher Miller, U.S. Marshals Task Force

Chester Police Ofc. Frank Myers, U.S. Marshals Task Force

For the diligent, months-long investigation that tracked a defendant who killed an innocent bystander, ultimately locating and taking him into custody.

Retired Det. Greg Henry, Montgomery County Detective Bureau

Det. Ryan Murray, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Lt. Daniel Farley, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Lt. Andrew Snyder, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Lt. Joseph O’Neill, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Lt. Richard Schaffer, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Det. Ronald Cupo, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Det. Steven Motta, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Det. Philip Degliomini, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Sgt. Michael Moore, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Ofc. Stephanie Pappas, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Ofc. Brian Walsh, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Ofc. James Stocklos, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Ofc. Justin Sneeringer, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Ofc. Kevin Norton, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Ofc. Adam Heath, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Ofc. Zachery Koerper, Cheltenham Township Police Department

Ofc. Tierre Welton, Philadelphia Police Department

Ofc. Donte Bush, Philadelphia Police Department

Det. James Perfidio, Philadelphia Police Department

Det. Joseph Cremen, Philadelphia Police Department

Ofc. Michael Braun, Philadelphia Police Department

Ofc. David Vogler, Philadelphia Police Department

For the excellent homicide investigation of two defendants who planned the murder of a schoolteacher and then fatally shot her as she waited in a Dunkin’ drive-thru lane with her 11-year-old son in the backseat.