By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer

Corporal John M. Gibson II of the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department received an honor on Jan. 2 usually reserved for dignitaries and heads of state, as a gathering of his fellow officers, elected and appointed officials and representatives from local fire and EMS departments presented him with a Walk Out ceremony on the occasion of his retirement from a 35-year career in policing.

Throughout his dignified four-decade tenure as an officer with both the New Garden Township Police Department and the regional department, Gibson received numerous awards, including the nationally recognized American Police Hall of Fame Outstanding Commendation Award in 2004, the Clinical Save Commendation by the Chester County EMS in 2005, and the New Garden Police Department DUI Enforcement Award, Life Saving Award, the Chief Gerald W. Davis officer of the year award and the Chester County FOP Heroism award, all in 2014.

In 2015, he received his second Clinical Save Commendation by the Chester County EMS, and in 2017 he was promoted to Corporal.

Gibson was hired by the New Garden Police Department in 1985, and was sent to the Pennsylvania State Police Southeastern Municipal Police Academy, where he graduated as the recipient of the Top Shooter Revolver Marksman Award. From 1986 to 1988, Corporal Gibson worked full time for the New Garden Township Police Department and part time for the Kennett Borough Police Department.

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