Chester Twp. police captain makes history with the FBI
Chester Township Police Capt. Laura Dixon Hartshorn was among the 228 graduates of the FBI National Academy Program in Quantico, Va., making her the first female law enforcement officer from Delaware County to join the elite group.
Hartshorn’s chief, Kenneth Coalson, is a graduate, as is her longtime friend John Easton, the retired Upland police chief who also wore a Chester Township police uniform back in the day. Both Coalson and Easton attended the June 7 graduation ceremony, along with Hartshorn’s husband, Walter Hartshorn, and her brother, Bruce Dixon.
“The FBI National Academy is the pinnacle of a law enforcement career,” said Hartshorn, who was initially hired as a part-time officer in the township back in 1996. Fewer than 1 percent of police officers in the United States are invited to attend the academy.
Noting that physical fitness was as much a part of the program as mental stimulation through courses that focused on topics from crisis negotiations and forensics to violent crime, Hartshorn said she’s almost as proud of the prized yellow brick she earned after completing a grueling 6.1-mile Marine obstacle course as she is of the graduation certificate itself.
The obstacle course is called the “Yellow Brick Road Run,” and is the final in the long list of fitness demands spread over the 10-week training session. It winds through a hilly, wooded trail, and along the way participants climb walls, run through creeks and scale rock faces, and more.
Going in, Hartshorn said she considered the course a challenge.
“But it was more than I expected,” she said. “At the end, you really feel like you earned it … It was so tough.”
Hartshorn said it took her about 90 minutes to complete the course – in the rain.
Hers was the 268th session of the national academy, and it consisted of men and women from 47 states, and 24 international countries. Known for its academic excellence, the program focuses on advanced communication, leadership and physical fitness for selected officers with proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, invitees have 21 years of law enforcement experienced and usually return to work to serve in executive-level positions.
Since it began in 1935, a total of 50,141 have graduated from the academy.
Now that she’s back to work, Hartshorn has her FBI certificate and yellow brick on prominent display in her office.
“It was so intense,” she said of the overall experience. “I would do it all over again.”
The Heroin Task Force Mobile Drug Collection Unit will be at Rose Tree Park Thursday from 6-8 p.m., during the county’s Summer Concert series.
Individuals can drop off their expired and unwanted medications in the parking lot of the park, located at 1671 N. Providence Road in Upper Providence.
It is part of an effort by Delaware County Council, the District Attorney’s office and the Delaware County Heroin Task Force to remove dangerous prescription drugs and combat heroin use. The county’s mobile unit, which is equipped with a drug collection van and two mobile drug-drop boxes, will be at various upcoming events throughout the county. For a complete list of scheduled collection events, visit www.delcohtf.org.
Darby Township Police Officer Michael Andrel’s heart has been heavy since losing his longtime K-9 partner, Ruger, to cancer back on April 17.
Ruger was the last of four generations of police service dogs. Raised from a puppy, Ruger became very well known. Trained both as a patrol and drug detection dog, he assisted many police departments throughout the county. He also participated in parades and school functions.
Our belated condolences are extended to Andrel and his family members both at home and at work who cared for Ruger, as well as the Darby Township community.
Andrel has been in K-9 patrol in Darby Township since 1996. Over the years, he’s been partners with at least eight dogs, all German shepherds.
Congratulations to Patrick Kilroy and William Carter of the Collingdale Police Department on their recent promotions to the rank of corporal. The officers’ promotions were announced June 5, according to Chief Robert Adams.
A graduate of Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast High School and the Delaware County Community College Municipal Police Academy, Kilroy was hired as a part-time officer in 2003 and promoted to full time in 2007, according to Adams. Kilroy is a certified paramedic and member of Collingdale Fire Co. No. 1. He resides in the Collingdale with his wife, Nicole, and their three children.
Carter is a graduate of Academy Park High School and DCCC police academy. Hired as a part-time officer in 1995, he was promoted to full time in 1999.
According to Adams, Carter holds many certificates and is considered an expert marksman on the Regional Emergency Response Team. He is also a shooting-range instructor.
Carter resides in Ridley Township with his wife, Jo Ann, and their two daughters.