WELL-EARNED SALUTES
Chester County hands out honors to police, first responders
WEST CHESTER » 2017 was a very busy year for first responders, police officers, prosecutors and detectives in Chester County.
District Attorney Tom Hogan presented several awards and was joined by law enforcement from every corner of Chester County during the annual law enforcement officer of the year awards ceremony. The LEO Award is annually presented to the most outstanding law enforcement officer in Chester County. The ceremony this year was held in Courtroom 1 of the Chester County Justice Center.
This year’s LEO Award recipients were Tom Hyland and Ryan Murtagh. Hyland works for the Phoenixville Police Department. Murtagh works for the Parkesburg Police Department and the Downingtown Police Department.
Hyland and Murtagh received the LEO Award for their outstanding work in fighting the heroin and opioid crisis. They were part of the team that led ”Operation Wildfire,” a targeted law enforcement sweep that arrested more than 40 heroin/opioid dealers throughout the county.
Hyland and Murtagh, with the backing of their police chiefs, then continued their partnership, working with law enforcement throughout Chester County to attack the opioid epidemic.
“Tom Hyland and Ryan Murtagh are well-deserving of the LEO Award,” Hogan said. “Their hard work, team work, and relentless intensity make them model police officers. They are a credit to their police departments and Chester County law enforcement. Their teamwork is exemplary and they never quit.”
County Commissioner Mi-
chele Kichline praised the two officers.
“We’re in a war and wars can’t be fought by one person alone,” she said. “If we don’t stand together we won’t have results.”
“I’m humbled,” Murtagh said. “It’s a team sport. We got a tremendous amount of support from our chiefs and the detectives.”
Detective Jim Ciliberto was named Chester County Detective of the Year.
Ciliberto, a veteran investigator for the Pennsylvania State Police before he joined the Chester County Detectives, was the lead investigator in the Scotty McMillan murder case, where a 3-year-old toddler was beaten to death by his mother’s boyfriend and his mother.
Detective Ciliberto also has been a key investigator in multiple other child abuse cases and adult homicide cases.
Chief County Detective Keven Dykes introduced Ciliberto and said the detective pulls long shifts and is passionate about investigating child abuse cases.
“He is self-motivated, passionate and compassionate with his victims,” Dykes said about Ciliberto.
Ciliberto made about 300 attendees in the courtroom smile and laugh when he said he was attracted to a career in law enforcement after watching the movie, “Fort Apache, The Bronx,” the TV show “Hill Street Blues,” and after reading the book “The Choir Boys.”
“That looks like the coolest job in the world, that’s the job for me,” he’d said, before becoming a police officer. He then told the packed court room that reality was somewhat different than what he’d imagined.
The detective said he hates what people do to themselves, what people do to each other and especially hates what people do to kids.
Deputy District Attorney Erik Walschburger was named Prosecutor of the Year.
Walschburger is the prosecutor in charge of all diversionary programs in Chester County, including Drug Court, Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, Mental Health Court, and Veteran’s Court. Walschburger was praised for his commitment, expertise, and compassion in handling these diversionary program.
Not everyone who breaks the law goes to jail.
“Our job is to seek justice, but people can make amends for their mistakes and return to the community,” Walschburger said.
The West Chester Fire Department received a special District Attorney’s Commendation for their work in responding to the inferno at the Barclay Friends Senior Living Center. WCFD firefighters responded to the blaze on Nov. 16 and were part of the team that saved 133 residents from the deadly fire.
WCFD is comprised of three volunteer fire companies: Fame Fire Company, Good Will Fire Company, and First West Chester Fire Company. Former WCFD Chief Mike McDonald and current WCFD Chief Jonathan Stafford accepted the commendation on behalf of all of the responding firefighters.
“It was a giant team effort, all the way down to the neighbors on the street,” Stafford said. “To everyone there that night, thank you.”
State Rep. Becky Corbin, R-155, awarded special commendations.
“Emergency responders are some of the last professionals that make house calls, Corbin said.
District Attorney Hogan added his praise for those who answered the Barclay Friends call.
“The firefighters, police officers, and other first responders who risked their lives to save the Barclay Friends residents from this fire showed the highest degree of heroism,” Hogan said. “We all appreciate their professionalism and bravery. It is even more impressive that they are all-volunteer fire companies, doing this work solely for the reward of protecting Chester County.”