By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer

Miguel Juarez and Kevin Urbany, officers with the Kennett Township Police Department, were both recognized by Police Chief Lydell Nolt on Sept. 4, for their recent efforts in saving human life and confiscating large amounts of an illegal drug.

Officer Juarez received a life saving award for his work that began at 7:44 a.m. on July 23, when he arrived at the 200 block of Stewarts Lane, three minutes after being dispatched for a report of a drug overdose. Upon his arrival at the home, he saw a 23-year-old male lying unresponsive and not breathing on the couch. Juarez then performed life-saving CPR on the male and administered three doses of Naloxone to him. 

With the help of the EMS from the Kennett and Longwood fire companies, the male was revived and was transported to a local hospital.

“In this case, there is an individual who is alive and well because of the actions taken by an officer, and the huge investment by a municipality toward the health and safety of its community,” Nolt said.

Officer Urbany received a special commendation for his involvement that led to the confiscation of large amounts of heroin. On Aug. 3, at about 3:20 p.m. at the corner of Bayard and Old Kennett roads, Urbany performed a vehicle stop for a driver who was operating his vehicle erratically. The initial investigation led to the arrest of the driver for driving under a controlled substance.

Using his expertise and training, Officer Urbany continued his investigation and began a search warrant on the vehicle that led to the seizure of over 100 bags of heroin, over 100 hypodermic needles, Fentanyl test kits and several other drug paraphernalia. The individual is now in the process of being charged with a drug possession with an intent to deliver and other criminal charges related to possession of a controlled substance.

“While our officers always do a good job, every once in a while, there are significant events that they become involved in that change the course of people’s lives or promote the health and safety of the community to the extent that it's outside the norm,” Nolt said. “Both incidents [involving Juarez and Urbany] have changed the course of people's lives – one for their safety and one as an event that prevented someone from distributing a large amount of a controlled substance to our community.”

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