The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
District Attorney Steele:
Presented civilians and law enforcement officers, agencies and retiring police chiefs with the Montgomery County Law Enforcement and Civilian Commendations
PLYMOUTH TWP. » When there is someone in need in Montgomery County, law enforcement and even sometimes civilians can be seen hurrying to the scene.
That’s why on Wednesday, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele presented 36 civilians and law enforcement officers, five agencies and two retiring police chiefs with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Law Enforcement and Civilian Commendation.
“As we lead into next week, National Police Week, we’re here to honor real life heroes who have been making a difference in the lives of Montgomery County residents,” began Steele.
Officers from police departments including West Pottsgrove, Whitpain Township, Upper Merion, Telford, Officers, civilians honored for service, page A5 Lower Moreland, Lower Merion, Towamencin and Lower Providence were all honored Wednesday for their service in several major cases. In addition to municipal police officers, civilians and members of other law enforcement agencies were presented with the award for their contributions to aiding Montgomery County residents.
Among the local honorees were West Pottsgrove Police Sgt. Steven Ziegler, Detective Timothy Roeder and Officer Robert Stoudt. The trio were awarded the honor for their work on the investigation and prosecution of a convicted felon who forced himself into a house and robbed the residents of drugs and money.
“On the evening October 5 of 2016, while out on bail for an unrelated shooting in Pottstown, Tyrone JeffcoatParker and an accomplice traveled to West Pottsgrove to rob a marijuana dealer,” Steele explained.
“He then waited for 40 minutes and when the front door opened the defendant forced himself in the apartment where he used a BB gun to rob the residents of their drugs, paraphernalia as well as $1,500 in cash. Officer Stoudt, Detective
Roeder and Sgt. Ziegler all played vital roles in the investigation, gathering evidence and securing statements from each of the victims which ultimately proved invaluable when the defendant opted for a jury trial, claiming the incident was merely a drug deal and the victims had made up the robbery ... the evidence and the statements prevented any surprises at trial.”
At the trial, JeffcoatParker was found guilty of robbery and was sentenced to seven to 14 years.
Other cases for which officers and civilians were honored included the rescuing of a pilot from a plane crash that was awarded to civilians and officers from Whitpain Township, a severe case of domestic abuse for which officers at Lower Providence Township Police Department and workers at Laurel House were recognized and other incidents including kidnapping, homicide investigations, suicide rescues, gun trafficking, human trafficking and rape.
“I say it a lot but I am so incredibly proud of our law enforcement and community here in Montgomery County that step up and do amazing things. I’m proud of our citizens, I’m proud of our law enforcement personnel across this county and this is just a snippet of the many incredible stories of bravery, heroism, big and small that happen every day on every single shift.” Steele said at the conclusion of the ceremony.
“These law enforcement and civilians that we’ve honored today, that we’ve singled out, represent some of the best that our county has to offer and we thank each of you for your heroism, each of you for your service. Please, as we go back out, know that you are the best and you are making a difference in people’s lives every day and may that sustain you through the difficult things that we have to endure.”
For a full list of honorees see article, “Officers, civilians honored for service.”