Sheriff promotes 6, including first female to lieutenant
NORRISTOWN » Montgomery County Sheriff Sean P. Kilkenny announced promotions for six of his law enforcement staff, including the first female lieutenant, during a ceremony at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
“Today is a historymaking day for the Sheriff’s Office,” said Kilkenny. “Joanne Lawlor is a consummate professional, who has dedicated her working life to make our office the best in the Commonwealth. I am honored to serve with her and promote her to lieutenant.”
Sgt. Joanne Lawlor received her new badge and bars while becoming the first female lieutenant in the history of the department. She will command the Warrants Division and the Transportation and Detention Division. Of the promoted, she is the longest-serving law enforcement staff having served 29 years working in the department’s Courts, Civil, Transportation and Detention, and Warrants Divisions.
She was instrumental in helping to build the Montgomery County’s Most Wanted social media program, which has resulted in a significant increase in anonymous tips from residents.
Lawlor has received MCSO and Domestic Relations Office commendations for her work capturing most wanted offenders for child support arrearages. She holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.
“I am honored and humbled to be the first female in the MCSO to receive the rank of lieutenant,” said Lawlor. “I want to thank Sheriff Kilkenny and Chief Adam Berry for their belief in my abilities to forward the mission of the department. This would not have been possible without the support of my incredible team and Sgt. Mark Huzzard, who are dedicated to the same goals.”
Cpl. Ronald Cole, of Collegeville, is an 18-year veteran of the MCSO and was promoted to sergeant in the Transportation and Detention Division where he has overseen daily operations for over 2½ years.
Cole started his MCSO career in the Courts Division where he moved up the ranks and launched the first field training officer program. Previously, Cole was a Mt. Laurel Township Police Department police officer and has received several commendations from law enforcement agencies and judiciary for high-level security management and planned evacuation drill oversight. Cole attended Burlington County Community College in Pemberton, N.J.
Warrants Division Cpl. Mark Huzzard, of Collegeville, was promoted to sergeant after serving the department for18 years. He coordinates overnight warrants raids to arrest offenders wanted for unpaid child support, criminal charges and DUIs.
He was instrumental in facilitating a relationship with the District Attorney’s Office and Mothers Against Drunk Driving in order to prioritize DUI warrant arrests and help promote MADD’s designated driver campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles. Huzzard is a certified bomb technician and a U.S. Army veteran with the elite 101st Airborne Division. He received a commendation from the DRO for his work in arresting child support fugitives. Huzzard has attended Montgomery County Community College and West Chester University.
Deputy Trevor Keller, of Lower Fredrick Township, was promoted to corporal in the Courts Division. He is a sevenyear veteran of the MCSO and has also served as a K9 Unit handler for the past four years. He also assists the Warrants Division during overnight raids, criminal searches, and arrests for which he has received MCSO and DRO commendations. Keller holds a bachelor of science in architecture from Temple University.
Deputy Matthew Pokorny, of Plymouth Township, is a 15-year veteran of the MCSO and is also a North Wales Police Department police officer. He was promoted to corporal and will help supervise the Transportation and Detention Division. Over the span of his MCSO career, Pokorny has worked in the Courts and Civil Divisions and as a part of the emergency response team.
He was the MCSO’s first field training officer, and is a Taser instructor, senior safety team member, and background investigator. Pokorny has received a commendation from the DRO for his work in assisting the Warrants Division in arresting child support fugitives.
Deputy James Bryan Subbio, of Skippack, is a 12-year MCSO veteran and was promoted to corporal in the Courts Division. He is a liaison to the Montgomery County Emergency Operations Center, a field training officer, and a background investigator for new hires. Previously, Subbio led overnight raids and conducted fugitive investigations in the Warrants Division. He has received department commendations for his work in investigating and capturing most wanted criminals. Subbio attended Delaware County Community College.
All promotions will be effective Feb. 12, 2018, with the exception of Cpl. Matthew Pokorny who was promoted on Dec. 18, 2017.