By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer

Jeremy O'Neill, an officer with the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department, received the 2017 Commissioners Award as officer of the year, at the regional department's annual awards and recognition ceremony on March 8. The award, previously known as the Chief Gerald W. Davis Award, honors an officer for his or her conspicuous and exceptional work during the past year.

It was the first awards ceremony for the department, which formed on Jan. 1, 2017.

Reading from two letters he received that nominated O'Neill for the award, Police Chief Gerald Simpson praised O'Neill for his work on DUI enforcement in 2017, when he made 27 arrests and three saves from the use of Narcan, a safe and affect antidote for opioid overdoses.

“Officer O'Neill is never hesitant to act when lives are in danger,” Simpson read. “He has taken actions to provide patients who have experienced overdose. He has striven to better himself as an officer while taking steps to become a more able instructor. He showed dedication safety and proficiency with the officers with whom he works.”

The event, which preceded the police department's Public Safety Commissioners’ meeting, also included the swearing in of two new officers, P.O. David Madonna, P.O. Stephen Syska and P.O. Gregory Blue, by the Hon. Matthew Seavey.

2017 DUI enforcement awards were presented to P.O. Benjamin Brown, P.O. 1st Class P.O. Joseph Cooper, P.O. Matthew Cordone, P.O. Stephen Madonna, O'Neill, P.O. Raymond Sullivan, Syska and Cpl. Jason Ward. In total, these officers issued 107 DUI arrests in 2017.

“No doubt, through their actions, they saved many lives,” said Simpson. “In fact, I'm here to tell you that they saved a minimum of 107 lives in 2017. Imagine if I were here tonight to tell you that under the regional police department's jurisdiction, 107 people were killed in 2017. I would probably be looking for a new job, is what I would imagine.

“One common theme emerges that sets these officers apart. Their actions were pro-active and by design. At the conclusion of this ceremony, this audience will agree with me that these men may have saved at least 107 lives, but honestly, who knows how many lives could have been adversely affected without the actions of these guardians?”

The ceremony also included an invocation by police chaplain Annalie Korengel, and opening remarks by Steve Allaband, the chairperson for the Public Safety Commission.

“Our men and women in uniform go above and beyond the call of duty every day, They are always held to the highest standards,” Allaband said. “They put their lives at risk for our safety and welfare, and for this they deserve to be acknowledged, appreciated and respected.”

Allaband reviewed the core values of the department, which include integrity, justice, duty and the preservation of human life.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].